Molitor Apartment, Paris | France

In the Molitor building in Paris, which was built between 1931 and 1934 to designs by Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret, a 58-square-metre flat has been carefully reimagined.

During the refurbishment, the architectural practice RREEL drew on the original qualities of the listed building and used them to develop a contemporary residential concept that creates a sensitive dialogue between the past and the present. Historical archive research and architectural archaeological investigations revealed traces of the original spatial structure and formed the basis for the design. Rather than a reconstructed copy, the result is a reinterpretation of modernism. Clean geometries, minimalist details and carefully selected materials draw on the architecture of Le Corbusier, whilst coloured fittings and freestanding spatial elements add distinctive accents. A striking, red-tiled kitchen island forms the centrepiece of the open-plan living area, complemented by sculptural curves, exposed concrete structures and deliberately visible installations in bright blue. Light-coloured surfaces, large windows and translucent glass blocks create a serene ambience and allow the various materials to interact harmoniously. This clean design language is also carried through into the private areas. Bespoke wooden fittings, minimalist furniture and a restrained colour palette create a cosy atmosphere, whilst each piece of built-in furniture is treated as a standalone architectural feature. The flat combines the functional principles of classical modernism with contemporary living requirements and reinterprets the open-plan layout as a flexible living space. The switches and sockets from the LS series have been deliberately coordinated with the interior’s colour scheme. Alongside white, the Les Couleurs® Le Corbusier® shades 32082 orange pâle and 32023 outremer pâle are used.