- Interior
Behind a closed gate, along a winding path through an elongated courtyard, a hidden family home unfolds, with a lush garden at the end, an unexpected and almost un-Parisian typology. In the middle of the bustling, densely populated 11th arrondissement, this house lies like a quiet enclave: an oasis of tranquillity, designed by the German firm Holzrausch. It is an architectural rhapsody in wood, deliberately contrasting with the hustle and bustle of the city.
The residents discovered Holzrausch through international design publications and approached the studio for a total concept. From the outset, one ambition was central: to create a calm, timeless living environment, far removed from fleeting trends and the visual clutter of so-called “Instagram interiors”. The clients—a former model and gallery owner, and her equally creative partner—found a kindred spirit in Holzrausch: an agency known for simplicity, material honesty, and artisanal quality. 
The renovation, which began in the aftermath of the pandemic, was radical: approximately 80 per cent of the existing structure was demolished. The concrete floors were retained, while the façade was rebuilt and new skylights were added. Because all the windows of the L-shaped building face the courtyard, daylight from above became an essential design tool. This led to the most defining element of the house: a central, undulating, sculptural staircase that runs through all floors like a backbone, drawing light deep into the home. The staircase, crafted in a specialised workshop in Bavaria, is made of the same refined oak as the wall panels and custom furniture. 
A Japanese Zen approach was deliberately chosen: no decoration, no art, just space, proportion and material
The house has four floors, including a small basement, and covers approximately 3,800 square feet. The floor plan is clear and sociable: upon entering, a living room unfolds on the left and a kitchen with a long communal table on the right. Large doors connect the interior to the garden, allowing the indoors and outdoors to flow seamlessly into one another. The house accommodates a family of four and was occupied in 2023 after a year and a half of construction. 
The interior is characterised by a strict limitation of materials: oak, plaster, stone and stainless steel. Most of the furniture is built-in, and the lighting is discreetly recessed. Despite the residents' close connection to art, a Japanese Zen approach was deliberately chosen: no decoration, no art, just space, proportion and material. The result is a house that does not shout, but whispers—a timeless retreat where tranquillity and attention become self-evident. 
Interior design by Holzrausch Studio
Photography by Salva Lopez
Text by Elke Aerts