MAISON ESCALIER BY MOUSSAFIR ARCHITECTES

A modern piece of Parisian architecture

Paris is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The banks of the Seine, the monuments and the preserved buildings make it seem untouched by modern architecture. Yet, when you start digging a little, you uncover some hidden surprises. A prime example? The Maison Escalier in the 6ème arrondissement. Moussafir Architectes built the house on the site of an old building, focusing it around a core of wooden stairs, surrounded by, but independent of, the three original walls. With no separation between the rooms, each level leads through the various living spaces, ensuring a total spatial continuity. The rough white walls contrast with the dark wooden floors and ceilings, illuminated by the light that filters through the cutout steel shutters of the southern façade. The mix of concrete, glass and wood, plus the tree-shaped structure, creates a veritable synthesis of modern urban architecture.