Formerly a banking institution from the beginning of the 20th century at 39-41 rue Cambon, Paris (France), this building became the headquarters of a haute couture house. The historic volumes of the building on rue Cambon, with its facade bays and cut stone, have regained their original luster. Re-examining the site and its history led to the creation of an intimate and emblematic place which forges an obvious link with the brand’s values.

Contemporary transplants contribute to the integration of landscape and architecture into a dense urban reality: outdoor spaces and vertical landscapes, supporting the development of biodiversity, occupy a preponderant place. These new volumes inserted with finesse constitute the secret and intimate treasure of the building, the perception of which is hidden from passers-by. The challenge is to perpetuate the heritage through these contemporary seams. Light is the common thread of architectural reflection. The volume of the atrium sculpted at the heart of the building sparkles with light through the whiteness of its facade and the generously sized glass surfaces. This is the opportunity to showcase a majestic staircase, the centerpiece of the new organization, a strong identity for the renewal of the site. Light floods the new work spaces and rushes up to the base, spilling out into the hall, reconnecting with the porosity of Parisian islets. Materiality participates in the narrative work.

The original design reveals a careful scenography of contemporary seams. In reference to the heritage composition of the beginning of the century, the new facades are equipped with shiny enamel, matte metal and white acrylic stone, responding to the color codes of the fashion house, black and white. The setting is adorned with the reflections of the sun. The comfort of site users is another objective. The restructuration / refurbishment offers a reorganization of connections that did not exist. New uses are being integrated from the upgraded base to the roof top: the project rewrites the history of this building. This new 18,235 m² head office is anchored in heritage to better affirm the spirit of the current era.