Meow Meow

Living large in a small space? For most city dwellers, it’s a pipe dream. But for architect Fran L., co-founder of Sun Building Workshop, it’s a blueprint for success. Her sister’s 33-square-meter (355-square-foot) apartment in Paris’s Maxéville neighborhood isn’t just a home; it’s a masterclass in maximizing every inch, proving that intelligent design can truly unlock a property’s hidden potential.

The mission was clear: open up the space and create an abundance of storage for her sister’s plants and clothing collection. Fran, an architect herself, delivered a solution that not only achieved these goals but wrapped the entire space in a bright, warm, and surprisingly intimate atmosphere, a stark contrast to its compartmentalized, 1980s-era origins.

The Backbone: Birch Plywood’s Brilliant Flow
The real game-changer in this transformation is the continuous birch plywood joinery. This isn’t just a set of cabinets; it’s a seamless, integrated system that acts as the apartment’s central nervous system. It houses kitchen functions, provides extensive storage, forms the staircase to the mezzanine, and even serves as the base for the upper-level bedroom. This cohesive design ensures a fluid connection between spaces, tackling the crucial storage challenge head-on.

Multipurpose Lower Sections: Low segments of the joinery pull double duty as display surfaces for plants and mirrors, plus they offer informal seating for guests.
Hidden Depths: Even the often-wasted space under the staircase gets a workout. An archway provides access to clever storage for larger items, extending even beneath the first two steps.
From ’80s Relic to Luminous Urban Oasis
The apartment, untouched since its 1980s renovation, was ripe for an overhaul. Its original layout was a maze of partitions, with an awkwardly placed toilet near the entrance and a shower tucked away next to the bedroom on the other side.

Fran’s first bold stroke? Tearing down those partition walls. This single move allowed natural light to pour in from the three large windows, instantly transforming the living room into a “spacious and breathable” area. They also hit the jackpot when removing the old ceiling, discovering an extra 50 centimeters (nearly 20 inches) of vertical space. This crucial find enabled the creation of the mezzanine bedroom above the kitchen, a true feat in compact design. The toilet was also strategically relocated into a new, more central bathroom. Step inside, and you’re immediately enveloped in a bright, warm vibe, enhanced by a simple curtain at the front door that adds a touch of intimacy.

Kitchen Ingenuity: Small Footprint, Big Performance
Despite its location under the mezzanine, which results in a slightly lower ceiling, the kitchen feels remarkably open. The secret? White walls and ceiling were chosen to counteract any sense of confinement.

The undisputed star of this compact kitchen is its large island counter. Designed as a truly multifunctional hub, it handles cooking, dining, entertaining, and even remote work. This powerhouse island cleverly integrates an induction stove, a countertop extractor, an oven, and additional storage. To delineate the kitchen without walling it off, they used large gray concrete-looking tiles for the floor and a distinctive greenish-blue color for the cabinets and splashback. Even the appliances were thoughtfully scaled: a smaller fridge fits perfectly under the stairs, and after four years, the owner hasn’t needed anything larger. A washing machine is neatly tucked away below a pantry, maintaining a clean, uncluttered look from the living area.

Living Room: Parisian Charm Meets Modern Utility
The demolition of the main wall undeniably transformed the living room, allowing it to bask in the natural light from three expansive windows. Adding a playful touch, a green wallpaper accent highlights one side of the back wall where a chimney runs. Additional shelving and a cabinet provide even more storage, keeping clutter at bay.

The floor is a statement in itself: a beautiful herringbone pattern in natural oak. This isn’t just a design choice; it’s a deliberate “nod to Parisian bourgeois tradition,” making a sophisticated statement for an apartment nestled in a working-class neighborhood. The continuous joinery seamlessly extends into the living room, maintaining a clean, connecting line and offering significant storage for clothing and household items. These low storage units also serve as perfect display surfaces for plants, mirrors, and other personal touches. They even double as an impromptu sitting spot when friends are over.

The Mezzanine: A Smartly Designed Sleep Sanctuary
A custom-designed staircase leads up to what Fran describes as a “cozy cocoon” bedroom. The stairs are intelligently designed, allowing occupants to stand on a platform next to the bed and even maintain standing height when getting out of bed.

Despite its compact nature, the bedroom feels both open and intimate. This is achieved by leaving ample space around the mattress and incorporating open shelves along the window. While the mattress rests directly on the floor, a clever ventilation system was built underneath to ensure comfort. More storage for personal items is integrated into shelves at the end of the stairs, and the space around the stairs was also maximized for additional storage.

Bathroom: Flow, Function, and Privacy Perfected
The bathroom, boasting full ceiling height and a small window overlooking a courtyard, benefits from excellent airflow. It features a custom vanity unit that perfectly fits into the corner – a thoughtful adjustment made during renovation when a traditional vanity wouldn’t fit. A small niche with shelves and the hot water tank is conveniently located in front of the toilet.

For both space efficiency and privacy, especially when guests are using the facilities, the shower is in its own dedicated part of the bathroom. As Fran wisely observes, Parisian apartments are rarely perfectly square, demanding creativity to make compact spaces feel as spacious, luminous, and comfortable as possible. This apartment stands as a beautiful testament to finding that delicate balance and perfecting those proportions, proving that small doesn’t have to mean sacrificing style or comfort.