Houzz Tour: Roof Deck Enjoys an Eiffel Tower View
An architect revamps a small Paris apartment to make space for outdoor living
Delphine Després
November 28, 2018
This one-bedroom apartment on the top floor of a nine-story 1960s building in Paris had never been renovated. The owner decided that it was time for a revamp, and not just on the inside. So she asked architect Raphaël Médard, who is experienced with roof decks, to create an easy-to-reach rooftop, rethink the balconies, and optimize the inside spaces and the views — especially the view of the Eiffel Tower. With imagination and hard work, Médard did that and then some, bringing in more natural light and adding clean, contemporary decor. The project took about seven months and cost about $375,000, not including his fees.
Photos by Shoootin
Apartment at a Glance
Who lives here: A 60-year-old woman
Location: Paris
Size: 700 square feet (65 square meters); one bedroom, one bathroom
Designers: Raphaël Médard, founder of RM Architecte (architecture and landscape design), and Terrasses des Oliviers (landscape construction)
Apartment at a Glance
Who lives here: A 60-year-old woman
Location: Paris
Size: 700 square feet (65 square meters); one bedroom, one bathroom
Designers: Raphaël Médard, founder of RM Architecte (architecture and landscape design), and Terrasses des Oliviers (landscape construction)
“The apartment had balconies on both the street and courtyard sides originally, but the previous owners enclosed the one facing the courtyard to enlarge the interior. It was difficult to make use of the resulting area because it was very narrow — about [5 feet, 3 inches] — and could be accessed only through the glass balcony doors,” Médard says.
“However, this spot has the most attractive and unobstructed view. We wanted to connect it to the apartment by completely opening up the original facade wall to obtain a single open area with a privileged view of the Eiffel Tower. This gave the living room two vantage points and flooded it with light.” The ceiling beam visible in this photo marks the old facade wall.
Find an architect in the Houzz pro directory
Find an architect in the Houzz pro directory
The street-facing balcony is shown on the left. Médard replaced its glass doors.
The new open and airy space has a clean, contemporary feel. Oak flooring and cabinetry is balanced with white and touches of sky blue. It is brought together by iconic designer furnishings, such as the Eero Saarinen dining table for Knoll and the Poul Henningsen pendant lights for Louis Poulsen. Médard selected the pieces, except for the Arne Jacobsen Drop chairs for Fritz Hansen.
Since the balcony is a bit higher than the rest of the space, the kitchen-dining area is a step up from the living room. The low wall behind the chairs marks the division and helps keep people from tripping on the step.
The new open and airy space has a clean, contemporary feel. Oak flooring and cabinetry is balanced with white and touches of sky blue. It is brought together by iconic designer furnishings, such as the Eero Saarinen dining table for Knoll and the Poul Henningsen pendant lights for Louis Poulsen. Médard selected the pieces, except for the Arne Jacobsen Drop chairs for Fritz Hansen.
Since the balcony is a bit higher than the rest of the space, the kitchen-dining area is a step up from the living room. The low wall behind the chairs marks the division and helps keep people from tripping on the step.
The kitchen was custom-made to fit around a structural column, now at its center. A quartz countertop nestles against a glass backsplash. A niche behind the sink conceals plumbing and wiring.
Find out about using quartz as a countertop material
Find out about using quartz as a countertop material
A gas fireplace warms up the space. A custom sideboard, seen in the foreground, partitions the living area from the back of the room.
Under the stairs leading to the roof is a custom closet that can be accessed from both the living room and the entryway on the other side. It contains a hanging rod, the TV and the electrical wires.
To the left of the stairs is a mirrored teal radiator that fits well with the teal color scheme of the entryway.
Under the stairs leading to the roof is a custom closet that can be accessed from both the living room and the entryway on the other side. It contains a hanging rod, the TV and the electrical wires.
To the left of the stairs is a mirrored teal radiator that fits well with the teal color scheme of the entryway.
The room has a beautiful, soothing, contemporary atmosphere and faces the street-side balcony.
On the other side is a functional built-in closet. The entrance to the bedroom is on one side, and a small work corner is on the other. It contains a suspended desk with wooden shelves overhead, continuing the oak theme.
On the other side is a functional built-in closet. The entrance to the bedroom is on one side, and a small work corner is on the other. It contains a suspended desk with wooden shelves overhead, continuing the oak theme.
The south-facing balcony also was completely revamped. The old gravel tiles were removed, the waterproofing redone and a pedestal-supported wooden deck put in. Plants, outdoor furniture and retractable awnings were the finishing touch.
Browse outdoor furniture in the Houzz Shop
Browse outdoor furniture in the Houzz Shop
The owner asked for a small bedroom to leave as much space as possible for the living area. The resulting room is 86 square feet. It is arranged like a boat cabin and looks out on the Eiffel Tower. Its restrained decor is made up of a bluish-gray wall, brushed-metal reading lights, simple bedside tables and an illuminated niche in the ceiling where the beam used to be.
Shop for contemporary nightstands
Shop for contemporary nightstands
The bright bathroom benefits from a window to the south balcony. Its custom built-ins are made of oak, and the sink and vanity top are Corian. The Porcelanosa relief tiles behind the bathtub, and the closet and shelves that surround an old chimney duct energize the elegant room.
Discover the pros and cons of popular bathroom countertop materials
Discover the pros and cons of popular bathroom countertop materials
The staircase in the living room leads up to the roof deck. It is sealed with a motorized glass hatch, as the glass would have been too heavy to lift manually. The opening is framed with spotlights that illuminate the staircase with a soft glow.
Next to the hatch is another skylight, placed over the entrance of the apartment.
This fabulous roof-turned-patio is 646 square feet and offers breathtaking views of Paris and its monuments. The waterproofing and insulation were redone, and a wood-plastic composite decking was put in. The roof deck is surrounded by a white steel railing.
Its pièce de résistance is a new outdoor kitchen (not visible in the photos), complete with a sink, fridge and grill.
This fabulous roof-turned-patio is 646 square feet and offers breathtaking views of Paris and its monuments. The waterproofing and insulation were redone, and a wood-plastic composite decking was put in. The roof deck is surrounded by a white steel railing.
Its pièce de résistance is a new outdoor kitchen (not visible in the photos), complete with a sink, fridge and grill.
A long steel-and-wood bench, designed by the architect, makes the perfect place to take in the view. Inside the bench is waterproof storage for cushions.
The architect also designed the landscaping, which was then carried out by Terrasses des Oliviers. The aim was to create a privacy screen — which also would help reduce noise — out of plants on one side of the roof deck.
The owner is still nurturing some plants, such as the star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides). This eventually will climb and cover the chimney. The greenery on the Eiffel Tower side of the roof deck is lower, so the whole panorama is visible.
Here’s another clever trick: Under the roof deck, a waterproof and almost invisible hatch conceals the cables for a video projector. The owner wanted to be able to watch sports and other things on a white wall facing the bench.
More on Houzz
Read about other apartment renovations
Find a landscape designer
The architect also designed the landscaping, which was then carried out by Terrasses des Oliviers. The aim was to create a privacy screen — which also would help reduce noise — out of plants on one side of the roof deck.
The owner is still nurturing some plants, such as the star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides). This eventually will climb and cover the chimney. The greenery on the Eiffel Tower side of the roof deck is lower, so the whole panorama is visible.
Here’s another clever trick: Under the roof deck, a waterproof and almost invisible hatch conceals the cables for a video projector. The owner wanted to be able to watch sports and other things on a white wall facing the bench.
More on Houzz
Read about other apartment renovations
Find a landscape designer
Peabody Landscape Group was founded in 1979 by Douglas & David Peabody. Our commitment is to carefully listen and... Read More
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I am agree
What an enviable prospect. But I'd put a railing on the other side of the stairway. Quite scary as one gets older. I love that she minimized the bedroom to maximize the living room. And with that terrace who even needs a living room ! I'd sleep up there sometimes in the summer under the stars and moon.
fou