Louise Chens apartment resembles a boat

Architect Cyrus Ardalan was inspired to create a boat-like interior for DJ Louise Chen‘s Paris apartment after feeling like he was standing at the prow of a ship during his first visit. The 70-square-metre apartment, located on the top floor of a building in the city’s 9th arrondissement, is home to Chen, her partner Silas Swinstead, and their young son.

The apartment’s central corridor is clad with a horizontal band of tinted plywood and features circular, porthole-style openings that slide up and down to illuminate or conceal the adjacent bedrooms.

Ardalan described the passageway as “the spine of the plan, like many Parisian apartments”. He carved rounded door frames into the plywood to add to the playful design, while the parquet flooring was painted white to recall boat decking.

The living space and adjoining kitchen were opened up to allow the rooms to flow more naturally and maximise the large windows that reveal rooftop views of Paris. The apartment sits on the corner of the building, providing a strong sense of light and openness.

The living space’s walls were insulated, allowing Ardalan and his team to round and soften the walls’ angles in a nod to the curved shape of a boat cabin. This detail subtly changes the perception of the living room and makes the interior feel calmer.

Ardalan‘s studio used the same tinted plywood to craft a geometric cabinet for Chen’s vinyl collection, complete with uniform white drawers that match the main bedroom’s built-in wardrobes. The cabinet was designed to make Chen’s records part of the architecture of the space.

The adjacent kitchen is delineated by a chunky glass paste mosaic arch, which provides a decorative feature while concealing old pipes. Stainless steel was used to create cabinetry and a sleek, rounded worktop that echoes the living room’s subtle curves.

The kitchen was clad in intricate reddish-brown tiles, which also form a mosaic in the bathroom. Ardalan said these materials form a “very limited but rich palette, allowing the apartment to feel cohesive”.

Throughout the apartment, a mixture of “intentionally minimal” furniture and lighting was sourced by Chen, including tubular dining chairs by Eileen Gray and understated wall lamps by Charlotte Perriand.

A bloated, blown-glass coffee table by Sabine Marcelis features in the living space. They designed the space to reflect both Chen’s professional identity and her life at home.

Design Inspiration

The French capital is home to many intricately designed apartments, each with its own unique character. Ardalan’s design for Chen’s apartment is just one example of the city’s diverse and creative approach to interior design, which can be seen in the use of motorized louvered roof systems in some buildings.

Apartment Details

• Location: 9th arrondissement, Paris
• Size: 70 square metres
• Occupants: DJ Louise Chen, Silas Swinstead, and their young son

The apartment’s design is a testament to Ardalan’s ability to create unique and functional spaces that reflect the needs and personalities of their occupants, much like the designs showcased in the Iceland design scene.

The apartment’s design is just one example of the many unique and creative spaces that can be found in Paris, a city known for its rich history and cultural significance.