COLLECTIVE IMAGINATION AS THE DRIVER OF ARCHITECTURAL FORM

 

Founded on the principle that collective imagination is required to draw and produce new forms, Paf atelier crafts radical, human-centric environments across architecture, scenography, and immersive narrative. The practice unlocks fresh possibilities for human interaction as it bridges bold geometric expressions with deep emotional resonance. Drawing inspiration from travel, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and active dialogue beyond the traditional desk, the studio translates abstract concepts into tangible landscapes that inspire visitors to explore their surroundings with renewed curiosity and joy.

 

‘It is my job to dream with new aspects, materials, and collaborations. We all need dreams to continue to draw and produce new things,’  notes Paf atelier’s founder Christopher Dessus.

paf atelier builds radical environments to reconnect design with collective imagination - 1La mode est une fête, Paul Poiret, MAD | scenography by Paf atelier in collaboration with Anette Lenz (art direction) | image © Luc Boegly

 

 

CONVERTing CONCEPTUAL RESEARCH INTO PHYSICAL REALIZATION

 

Based in Paris since 2017, Paf atelier works across spatial design, scenography, and cultural research. Founded by Christopher Dessus, the multidisciplinary practice crafts retail environments, exhibition spaces, and temporal installations that align architectural form with human emotion. Rejecting decorative excess, the studio links conceptual reflection with material experimentation to ensure every intervention carries a distinct purpose and spatial identity.

 

paf atelier builds radical environments to reconnect design with collective imagination - 2Respire pop up journey uses water, mist, and inflatable volumes to mirror biological mechanisms

 

 

This cross-disciplinary methodology is further enriched by Dessus’s creative agency, Pli office, which collaborates with institutions and creators to unlock new creative energies across architecture, design, and art. Although many installations are temporary, Paf atelier focuses on long-term cultural relevance, pairing local production methods with emerging talents to shape evolving physical environments.

 

‘Emotions and form can be matched inside the spaces we design. Our work is not decoration nor the need to create just to create. We collaborate with others – creative, institutes and more – to realize new energies,’ declares Dessus. 

paf atelier builds radical environments to reconnect design with collective imagination - 3the multidisciplinary practice crafts retail environments, exhibition spaces, and temporary installations, aligning architectural form with human emotion | image © Romain Moriceau

 

 

ALIGNING THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT WITH HUMAN EMOTION

 

Underpinning Paf atelier’s practice is an effort to align architectural form with human emotion, turning physical structures into immersive spatial experiences. ‘It is paradoxical to design physical structures to evoke immaterial feelings. To dream is not to simply watch though; when we dream, it means to be inside and as part of the dream. We wanted to create an atmosphere to immerse visitors to dream,’ says Christopher.

paf atelier builds radical environments to reconnect design with collective imagination - 4for Orient Express at the America’s Cup, the studio uses sail like forms to translate wind movement into physical space | image © DEL RIO BANI

 

This ethos spans various project typologies, including temporary cultural interventions like ‘Cinema for Dreams’, created with designboom for Milan Design Week 2026. The Parisian studio dissolves conventional spatial limits to combine screens and seating into continuous architectural forms that fully immerse visitors. Spaces created with this focus encourage reflection and connection, allowing Paf atelier to offer quiet pauses within fast-paced urban settings and show how spatial design can foster optimism and inspire new possibilities.

paf atelier builds radical environments to reconnect design with collective imagination - 5inside Cinema for Dreams, seated visitors gather before a glowing screen bordered by light diffusing metallic foldspaf atelier builds radical environments to reconnect design with collective imagination - 6Paf atelier and Yard Agency construct inflatable lighthouse beacons for Festival de Printemps at Printemps Haussmann | image © Florent Michel / 11h45paf atelier builds radical environments to reconnect design with collective imagination - 7an orange lacquered steel and perforated metal structure filters space in a Paris 11th arrondissement interior by Paf atelier and BB Architectes | image © Céline Sabypaf atelier builds radical environments to reconnect design with collective imagination - 8for Diptyque, Paf atelier pays tribute to the Orphéon, the legendary 1950s Parisian jazz bar, with sculptural brass instruments in Paris and London | image © Diptyquepaf atelier builds radical environments to reconnect design with collective imagination - 9at the Théâtre du Châtelet, inflatable volumes, scaffolding and light form the stage set for Variations VIII, a concert programme produced by Sourdoreille for France Télévisions | image © Luc Bertrand

 

project info:

 

studio: Paf atelier | @paf_atelier