- Interior
Pied A Terre Palais Royal is situated in a Parisian townhouse built in 1775, just before the outbreak of the French Revolution. Historical sources often link the building to Marie Antoinette and members of her court. Today, this rich historical background serves as the starting point for a contemporary interpretation of living within an exceptional historical setting.
The project was developed by Necchi Architecture in collaboration with Pied A Terre. The design approach is based on a clear focus on proportions, vertical lines and a consistent choice of materials throughout the entire space. As a result, it is an interior that reinterprets the existing building with a contemporary sensitivity to space and light, rather than attempting to reconstruct what once was. 
Within the interior, bespoke cherry wood work defines the layout of the spaces. Both lighter and darker shades are used to create depth and build a subtle layering. The Burgundy stone floor anchors the whole and makes a subtle reference to regional traditions.
Reflective and lacquered surfaces are incorporated throughout the project to enhance the natural light and expand the sense of space. The development comprises two separate apartments on the second floor. The first is a 95-square-metre one-bedroom apartment, in which the corner living area is surrounded by tall windows and features impressive ceiling heights. The second apartment covers 120 square metres and offers two bedrooms and two bathrooms with heated stone floors, allowing for a more generous layout.
Rather than a literal reference to the past, the building’s history is made tangible through scale and the use of materials
Technical features such as discreetly integrated air conditioning provide contemporary comfort without visual disruption. Rather than a literal reference to the past, the building’s history is made tangible through scale and the use of materials. A curated CD collection and original Bang & Olufsen audio systems from the 1990s add a personal cultural layer to the interior. Every element contributes to a living environment where presence and meaning arise from the relationship to the whole, without taking centre stage. 
Photography by Isabel Bront
Text by Melissa Helsen