Studio Vincent Eschalier renovates 17th-century building in paris

 

Studio Vincent Eschalier completes the renovation of a 17th-century building near the Grand Rex in Paris to serve as the new headquarters for consulting firm SIA Partners. The renovation spans 3,000 square meters across five floors and a basement. On the street side, the original facades are restored to align with the character of the Grands Boulevards, while the commercial ground floor was redefined with new dark granite cladding. Inside, the layout was opened up to create flexible work environments. Exposed technical elements on the ceiling are painted white to reduce visual contrast, and many walls are deliberately left unfinished, revealing texture and construction traces.

studio vincent eschalier reinterprets a mixed use building on the grands boulevards 1
all images by J.P. Vaillancourt

 

 

A Layered Restoration with Contemporary Elegance

 

Originally a private home, the structure had been modified repeatedly over the centuries, resulting in a mix of added wings, altered floor heights, and glass canopy insertions. These accumulated changes left the building in a fragmented state, but still with architectural elements worth preserving. The Paris-based architects approached the project by working with these layers, reorganizing the interior, and restoring historic features while introducing a more unified spatial and material logic.

 

Furnishings, coordinated by Maison Vincent Eschalier, include light wood desks with linen rubber surfaces that are paired with selections from independent and established design studios. These include pieces by Axel Chay, Margaux Keller, Duplex Studio, and manufacturers such as Silvera and Petite Friture. In contrast to the raw surfaces, built-in cabinets and plants throughout the space introduce softer tones and a more domestic atmosphere.

 

Several distinct materials define different parts of the building, with terracotta tiles lining the restrooms, circulation zones marked by mineral finishes, and the central atrium paved in irregular opus incertum stone. This atrium, once a formal courtyard, is now enclosed with a glass roof and functions as a central gathering space. The rooftop of the rear structure, previously underutilized, has been converted into a planted terrace accessible to staff.

studio vincent eschalier reinterprets a mixed use building on the grands boulevards 3
Studio Vincent Eschalier completes the renovation of a 17th-century building near the Grand Rex in Paris

studio vincent eschalier reinterprets a mixed use building on the grands boulevards 2
the new headquarters for consulting firm SIA Partners