710-square-foot Paris apartment has a storied past. Originally built in the 19th century, the space once served as an atelier for Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, the creators of the Statue of Liberty. A century later, the building was converted into a residential unit. Today, a young family occupies the space after a recent renovation by Lieu Architecture. The redesign blends historical elements with modern touches, creating a home that feels both rooted in the past and fully contemporary.
The renovation’s most striking feature is a stainless-steel wall stretching from the front door to the far end of the living room. Justin Meuleman, founder of Lieu Architecture, describes the wall as a functional and aesthetic choice. It hides water conduits, supports coatracks, mirrors, and mobile storage. “We fixed a variety of small elements to the wall,” Meuleman says. “So the owners can have retail-like shelving on a domestic scale.” The wall also draws the eye along the apartment’s length, creating a sense of openness.
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Across from the steel wall stands a wenge wood module, designed to resemble old railway carriages. The unit includes discreet doors that blend into the African hardwood. The homeowners, who love spirits, requested a hidden bar inside. “It opens like a trunk,” Meuleman explains. The module’s dual role as a storage unit and a display area reflects the architects’ focus on practicality without sacrificing style.
The kitchen, a compact corner of the apartment, benefits from a mirrored wall that amplifies natural light. The space is bathed in light, thanks to original 1970s aluminum windows that the architects wanted to highlight.
In the bedrooms, Meuleman and his team prioritized simplicity. They added integrated closets to both rooms but avoided major structural changes. The primary suite’s wenge veneer headboard continues the visual thread from the living area. The en suite bathroom features waxed concrete flooring, a material typically found in commercial spaces. Orange lighting, walls, and decor throughout the bathroom honor the homeowners’ favorite color, a recurring motif in the apartment.
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The apartment’s renovation balances historical preservation with modern needs. The stainless-steel wall and wenge module are testaments to this approach. By reconfiguring the space into a single, open area, the architects created a home that feels both expansive and intimate. The use of materials like waxed concrete and mirrored surfaces adds a layer of sophistication, while the hidden bar and mobile storage reflect a focus on usability.
The 1970s-era windows, left largely untouched, serve as a reminder of the building’s past. Their integration into the design highlights the architects’ respect for the structure’s original elements.
The homeowners’ passion for spirits influenced the design of the wenge module, which functions as both a bar and a display unit. This attention to personal preferences is evident throughout the apartment, from the choice of materials to the color scheme. The result is a space that feels uniquely tailored to its occupants while maintaining a cohesive aesthetic.
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The bathroom’s use of waxed concrete flooring is an unexpected but effective choice. Typically found in commercial settings, the material adds a tactile quality to the space. Paired with the orange accents, it creates a bold yet harmonious contrast. The decision to use this material shows the architects’ willingness to experiment with unconventional choices.
The apartment’s redesign demonstrates how historical buildings can be repurposed for modern living. The stainless-steel wall, wenge module, and open layout all contribute to a home that is both functional and visually striking. By blending practicality with design, Lieu Architecture has created a space that honors the building’s past while meeting the needs of its current residents.