HÔTEL DUPANLOUP BY STUDIO MAKKINK & BEY

The Dutch design and architecture studio adds their touch to a 17th-century building in France

Dutch design and architecture firm Studio Makkink & Bey was commissioned by the University of Orléans and the French Ministry of Culture and Communication to design the interior of the university’s newly opened research center: l’Hôtel Dupanloup.

The historic 17th-century Hôtel Dupanloup was previously the home of a bishop before being transformed into a library. With such a rich past, the designers were conscious to include it in the newest renovation. Therefore, each set of furnishings integrates elements from the building’s past and present as well as unique elements designed by the designers themselves.

For example, the building’s various renovations are captured in photo impressions on tables and chairs, and the curtains and carpets give homage to various brilliant minds from Orléans’ history. The interior also includes pieces of Ikea furniture that were transformed by students of l’ESAD, the design school of Orléans. Thus, the designers created an design equation that can be found throughout the project: 1 period object + 1 bespoke object + 1 students’ transformation of a white Ikea object + 1 existing object by Studio Makkink & Bey (or an object of French or Dutch fabrication).