Historic Paris apartment gets wrapped in soft minimalism
Architect Saba Ghorbanalinejad reworks the historic architecture of this Le Marais apartment for the 21st century
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

This Parisian apartment interior design delicately adds a layer of minimalism to a historical structure, courtesy of the studio of architect Saba Ghorbanalinejad. The renovation, which transforms the first floor of a typical period building in the neighbourhood of Le Marais, refreshes, while also extending, the family home.
The project centres on the complete redesign of an existing 140 sq m unit. Each room has been stripped back and finished in contemporary materials, allowing a clean, uncluttered aesthetic to prevail. White plastered walls, clearly defined surfaces and plenty of natural light underpin a parred down approach; one, however, that feels soft and homely.
Historical elements, such as the existing large windows and a stone fireplace, were maintained and gently incorporated into the new design as appropriate. The ceiling's wooden beams, for example, are left exposed; although they have been painted white to blend with the background in the bedroom, while left in their natural, deep brown tone in the living area.
A new structure was inserted into one of the original rooms, which has now become the kitchen. The steel construction creates a discrete space for food preparation, complete with extra-wide stainless steel worktops, while gently contrasting the rest of the apartment interior with its modern feel. This move also allowed the architect to carve out space for a conservatory garden next to it, planted and lit from above, bringing a glimpse of the outdoors in.
Bespoke details, such as rounded corners on some of the wall and kitchen worktop edges, customised door knobs and a reflective, sliding aluminium door that divides the living spaces from the bedrooms, reflect the attention to detail this relatively small but perfectly formed interior received. Light, neutral colours throughout enhance the sense of space and lightness - with the exception of an accent red curtain and cabinetry in the entrance hall, which provides an unexpected twist to the rule.
While it it may be relatively small in size and fairly restraint in its interventions, the apartment interior packs quite a punch. Now encompassing three en-suite double bedrooms, a generous-feeling open plan living space, the brand new kitchen structure and the enclosed patio, it has been brought firmly into the 21st century.
INFORMATION
sabaghorbanalinejad.com (opens in new tab)
Ellie Stathaki is the Architecture Editor at Wallpaper*. She trained as an architect at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece and studied architectural history at the Bartlett in London. Now an established journalist, she has been a member of the Wallpaper* team since 2006, visiting buildings across the globe and interviewing leading architects such as Tadao Ando and Rem Koolhaas. Ellie has also taken part in judging panels, moderated events, curated shows and contributed in books, such as The Contemporary House (Thames & Hudson, 2018) and Glenn Sestig Architecture Diary (2020).
-
Stanya Kahn’s Frieze Los Angeles commission to unearth the ‘understory’ of human intervention in nature
We speak to multidisciplinary artist Stanya Kahn, whose ‘Understory’ installation will be unveiled at Frieze Los Angeles for the 2023 R.U.in.ART Commission
By Harriet Lloyd-Smith • Published
-
On your marks: the best looking sports watches
Choose the right sports watch for you, for its capabilites or its tools for outdoor adventure, bringing the greatest physical and mental benefits
By Hannah Silver • Published
-
Onitsuka Tiger hosts British artist Michele Fletcher in its in-store gallery
Michele Fletcher is the latest artist to show in Onitsuka Tiger’s open-to-all Tiger Gallery, found within the Japanese brand’s London flagship
By Jack Moss • Published
-
Mono Editions launches furniture in cork and paper pulp
Launched with a pop-up in Paris (23-27 March 2022), Mono Edition presents modular designs by architects, crafted from sustainable single materials
By Rosa Bertoli • Last updated
-
Odile Mir’s granddaughter is reissuing her 1970s French furniture
Parisian designer Léonie Alma Mason launches LOMM Editions – a new brand presenting 1970s furniture designs created by her grandmother, nonagenarian artist Odile Mir
By Rosa Bertoli • Last updated
-
Pierre Jeanneret’s midcentury designs for Chandigarh get an LA audience
By Ali Pechman • Last updated
-
French designer Marlène Huissoud creates silkworm cocoon set with London Bronze Casting
By Rosa Bertoli • Last updated
-
The Invisible Collection opens discreet London showroom
By Emma O'Kelly • Last updated
-
Stéphane Parmentier masters the hide with new lines for Giobagnara and Rabitti
By Aileen Kwun • Last updated
-
Magic box: Charles Kalpakian’s puzzle-like interiors project changes the rules of the game
By Riya Patel • Last updated
-
Box clever: a new mobile kitchen with hidden depths
By Emma Moore • Last updated