Embracing the essence of matter

A Parisian Hotel Paris 13, France

A Parisian Hotel

Paris 13, France

Embracing the essence of matter

Hospitality
2026
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In the heart of the 13th arrondissement of Paris, near Place d’Italie, our project rises on a large public plaza, creating a subtle connection between heritage and modernity. It is integrated into a contrasting urban fabric, where 1970s towers sit alongside Haussmannian stone façades, bringing together two visions of the city.

A Building Suspended Between City and Nature
On the edge of a traversing inner block, within a narrow plot, the project is conceived as a living urban infrastructure. Its active base, defined by large glass arches, houses art galleries, shops, and restaurants, infusing energy and dynamism into the public space.
Above this lively foundation, a tree-lined promenade unfolds, reinterpreting the concept of a vertical street. Like a balcony suspended above the city, it creates a fluid landscaped circulation, offering sweeping views of the neighborhood while hosting a sculptural hotel at its peak— an arrangement of stacked volumes crowned with panoramic terraces.

Vibrant base and suspended promenade

Drawing inspiration from Constant’s utopian vision of New Babylon, this project offers a continuous spatial composition, where architecture becomes a living walkway—a place where different functions intersect and overlap. Here, urban elements and the landscape seamlessly blend into a unified whole, punctuated by belvedere-like spaces overlooking the avenue, inviting contemplation and interaction.

Modular timber construction system

The building’s structure is based on a modular concept, shaping its architectural expression. The base, designed as a trilithic concrete grid, features a sculptural arrangement of T-shaped columns, interlocking geometric beams in a dovetail system, and cross-vaults that enhance the rhythm and aesthetic of the ground floor. In contrast to the mineral quality of the base, the hotel is built using modular CLT wooden volumes: the rooms are independent modules, assembled both transversely and longitudinally to create a dynamic cluster.
The building’s envelope, made of relief wooden panels, plays with light and reveals sculpted moldings and varying wood tones, ranging from light to deep, in harmony with the solid wood columns that structure the facade’s architectural language.

Reimagined Urban Horizon
At the top, the hotel lobby opens onto a planted promenade, offering a stunning view of Paris. This transitional space seamlessly connects with a wellness center, where a pool and relaxation areas extend the sensory experience, , in dialogue with the suspended garden.
Balancing between the grounded base and floating volumes, mineral solidity and lightness, this project introduces a new urban experience, where the city is experienced both at ground level and from above. An architecture that does more than just rise—it welcomes, connects, and invites leisurely exploration striking a delicate balance between density and openness, material and light, urban life and nature.

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