New residential studios at the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris, France by Simon Morville and Atelier JS.L

Article source: Atelier JS.L

Architect Simon Morville and Atelier JS.L are collaborating to address the programme to renovate part of the residential studios of the Ministry of Culture and Communication at the Cité Internationale des Arts, the largest artist residency in France, located on the Quais de Seine in Le Marais in Paris. The layout of these new studios combines everyday life and artistic activity to stimulate the residents thanks to decompartmentalising the functions.

Image Courtesy © Colombe Clier

• Architects: Simon Morville and Atelier JS.L
• Project: New residential studios at the Cité Internationale des Arts
• Location: Paris, France
• Photography: Colombe Clier

Image Courtesy © Colombe Clier

The project stems from encountering both the site and the resident artists. Struck by the diverse artistic activities and the use of space, Simon Morville and Jean-Sébastien Lagrange have adapted to these constraints. A key element features strongly around which the work of the artists revolves: a structure combining walls and ceilings allowing an increased number of uses.

Another specific feature of the space is that it is a living area where work and privacy coexist. The layout of the studio therefore enables certain spaces like the bedroom to be concealed while remaining open to a multitude of artistic activities and scenarios of use.

Image Courtesy © Colombe Clier

Image Courtesy © Colombe Clier

The hall houses the bathroom and storage area acting as a buffer zone incorporating a large glass window typical of Parisian studios, enabling this space to be partitioned yet letting the light enter. Once in the studio, the layout takes shape around sets of curved work panels moulding and structuring the space and a lacquered metal backbone providing support for lighting and hanging from the ceiling.

Image Courtesy © Colombe Clier

Image Courtesy © Colombe Clier

This “framework,” harmoniously demarcating the space, is very flexible in terms of use and accommodates several types of lighting (fluorescent tubes for gallery type lighting, indirect light for everyday life, hooks for mobile ceiling lights), as well as providing an opportunity to hang works gallery-style. Technical dimensions have not been forgotten as the structure radically simplifies cable management and allows electrical connections to be multiplied.

Image Courtesy © Colombe Clier

Image Courtesy © Colombe Clier

Particular attention has been paid to furniture that can be moved, as well as being functional and flexible. Stackable standard crates on wheels allow artistic material to be stored, can serve as a trolley and then be stored under the bed. Finally, trestles and work surfaces can be stored in the hall to completely declutter the studio space.

The seats reuse the metallic frame of the existing Cité des Arts furniture on which wooden slats have been added by the duo to give a second life to this iconic furniture that has seen artists come and go since the Cité was created in 1965.

Image Courtesy © Colombe Clier

Image Courtesy © Colombe Clier

Designer Jean-Sébastien Lagrange graduated from Ecole Boulle and ENSCI – Les Ateliers. He set up his own agency, Atelier JS.L, and works with a range of retailers and institutions (Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres, Ministry of Culture, etc.). He was a finalist for the Agora grant in 2015 and winner of the Villa Kujoyama residency in 2016.

Image Courtesy © Colombe Clier

Simon Morville graduated from ENSAAMA and is a qualified architect. Winner of the Monbukagakusho grant (study grant from the Japanese government), he joined Bow-Wow studio as project leader (2006-2008) after obtaining his Masters. Returning to France, he founded his Atelier in 2012, developing a sensitive and multi-disciplinary approach, based on context and the interrelation of spatial scales.

Image Courtesy © Simon Morville and Atelier JS.L

Image Courtesy © Simon Morville and Atelier JS.L

Image Courtesy © Simon Morville and Atelier JS.L

Image Courtesy © Simon Morville and Atelier JS.L

Image Courtesy © Simon Morville and Atelier JS.L

Tags: France, Paris

Categories: Offices, Studio

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