A Parisian Extension

The project concerns the complete rehabilitation of a Parisian apartment and its extension on a portion of an existing terrace. The goal of this extension is to create an additional bedroom with its bathroom, a common toilet, and a distribution space for each room, thus avoiding having to pass through one room to access another. This allows direct access to the farthest bedroom without having to go through the first bedroom.

The architectural concept aims to follow the same guiding lines as the main building while maintaining the orthogonality of the layout. The slanted façade that previously detracted from the unity of the existing structure has been eliminated. Only the upper part of the parapet remains slanted, but it is less visible from the street thanks to the new façade that extends over the terrace. The extension thus connects to the base of the parapet.

By aligning the extension's layout with the main building's lines and the garage, the terrace becomes a more usable space.

The previous protruding canopy has been removed and replaced by two new, mostly glazed volumes. The façade now opens generously onto the terrace. A small volume is discreetly added near the existing elevator shaft. It is connected to the entire extension by the roof and base, which continues from the interior floor. This small volume, acting as a transition between the main building and the extension, features a different façade language. It is a blind, subtle façade that hides the new WC.

The existing exterior had no particular architectural qualities, so the decision was made to envelop the volumes of the new façade with zinc to integrate perfectly with the typical Parisian character of the plot. The new extension rests on a thin part of the terrace slab, and we opted for a lightweight and quick-to-install wooden structure. After extensive research, we found a company based in the Jura region, specializing in passive wooden house construction.

To avoid disturbing the very Parisian architecture of the Villa Ballu, the façades were designed with verticality, referencing the workshop façades still present in the surrounding area. Compared to the austerity of the existing façade, the rhythm of the new façade aligns better with the language of the main building, which remains unchanged. The new façade offers a simple architectural statement while adding a modern touch through the implementation of a zinc envelope, which serves as both roof and base as well as partition walls for the extension.

To manage privacy and the amount of natural light, an interior curtain system is planned.