- Interior
In the Parisian project Jules Joffrin, Atelier HA demonstrates how an apartment with complex architectural constraints can evolve into a distinctive and layered interior. Beneath the rooftops of a former collection of merged maid’s rooms, the studio created a living environment in which spatial interventions are enhanced by surprisingly complementary contrasts.
The studio behind this light-filled apartment, Atelier HA, was founded by Adèle Nourry and Hugo Vince. Their projects revolve around spaces with character, where warm wood species, marble, steel and tactile fabrics are given a deserved place within carefully composed arrangements. As the founders themselves explain, ‘our projects are not intended to replicate a specific era, but rather to create continuity between different periods in time’. The studio avoids uniform interiors and consciously seeks tension between elements that do not seem naturally compatible at first glance. 
That mixture of styles also forms the foundation of Jules Joffrin. Although a subtle reference to the aesthetics of the 1970s is unmistakable, the style is combined with contemporary accents that are especially expressed through the bespoke joinery, mirrors and material finishes. The apartment is located on the top floor and was characterised by a complex roof structure and limited natural light. Atelier HA chose to make those constraints a visible part of the design. A six-metre load-bearing beam was integrated as an architectural statement, while existing wooden beams were reworked and technical elements such as ventilation and air conditioning were incorporated into the interior.
‘Our projects do not seek to reproduce a specific era, but rather to build continuity between several'
The restructuring of the space was central to the project. The original apartment consisted of several small maid’s rooms with little coherence. By completely rethinking the circulation, an open and cohesive living environment emerged. The kitchen was given a sculptural appearance through the use of marble, complemented by warm bespoke woodwork. Velvet seating and rounded forms soften the overall atmosphere and bring additional depth to the interior. Atelier HA deliberately plays with dark tones, reflections and textures to give even the more compact zones a strong presence. 
No space feels static. By carefully constructing contrasts, the studio creates an interior that remains both expressive and liveable. The project reflects Atelier HA’s working method: a combination of architectural precision, material research and a strong sensitivity to atmosphere. From their studio in Paris, the duo continues to work on a wide range of projects, including a loft in Saint-Cloud, a restaurant in Paris, a barge and even a set design for a theatre production. Looking ahead, the team hopes to realise even more challenging projects. Their greatest dream? A hotel and a film set. They are certainly on the right path to that destination. 
Photography yu Amaury Laparra
Text by Carolien Depamelaere