From one street to another

Originally designed to house a tin-plate stamping factory in the 1920s, this large premises of over 400m² on the heights of Belleville had first been transformed into a lithography studio and art gallery. At the heart of the 20^th district of Paris, it took root in this popular neighbourhood that continues to hold on to the traces of its industrial and artisanal past. PCA-STREAM transformed this ancient workshop while respecting its origins and its spirit, adapting it to its new functions of accommodation and offices. A tip of the hat to the historical activity of the place, the machine drive rings that are fixed to the roof beams have all been conserved. The loft stretches from one street to another, and has a single window that runs along the facade, with the challenge being to play with this length and to work on the incoming natural light. Transparency has been emphasized in particular, allowing one to see all the way through the building. The agency has also chosen to preserve the remarkable oak structure and to enhance it with interior elements that echo it: bookcases, floorboards and shutters.

Facilitating sequences of life

The original space was organised into three cellars. PCA-STREAM worked in successive sequences, designing the dividing walls in such a way as to not lose the through perspective. An open air patio placed at the heart of the project allows light to be provided and the spaces to be structured. The first space contains the living areas, the central one is divided into closed sections that provide privacy, and the last space is reserved for professional activities. Light enters abundantly through the sky light, with the creation of transoms and new windows thanks to a partial elevation, but also through openings onto the Japanese garden that enhances the patio. Inspired by traditional Japanese architecture, the succession of glazed sliding windows that can be concealed by wooden shutters, allows one to alternate between depth of space and privacy. The choice of materials – wood, stainless steel and white paint – adds warmth to this exceptional volume that has been rebuilt in the spirit of an industrial loft.