Paris Residence is a minimal home located in Paris, France, designed by Holzrausch Design Studio. The project’s genesis during the pandemic’s waning days feels particularly resonant. As cities worldwide grappled with the meaning of home, Holzrausch embarked on what was essentially an act of architectural archaeology, retaining only the concrete floors while replacing everything else. This selective preservation echoes the postwar reconstruction ethos that shaped much of Paris, yet here the approach is intimate rather than monumental.

Wood dominates every surface with an almost devotional intensity. The material choice reflects a broader contemporary movement toward biophilic design, yet Holzrausch’s application transcends mere trend. The wooden surfaces flow seamlessly from wall to ceiling, creating an enveloping warmth that transforms the interior into what feels like a carefully crafted vessel. This recalls the Japanese concept of “wood culture,” where timber becomes not just structure but spiritual presence.

The staircase emerges as the project’s masterstroke – a sculptural intervention that doubles as both circulation and artwork. Positioned beneath its own skylight, it becomes a temporal instrument, marking the passage of day through shifting shadows and light. This recalls Carlo Scarpa’s poetic use of stairs as architectural narrative, though Holzrausch’s interpretation is more organic, more flowing.

The firm’s decision to orient all openings toward the courtyard, supplemented by strategic skylights, demonstrates sophisticated understanding of Parisian urban density. Natural light becomes a carefully choreographed element, entering through calculated apertures that maximize illumination while maintaining privacy. This approach echoes the traditional Parisian hotel particulier, where inward-facing orientation created private worlds within the public city.

The extensive demolition – 80 percent of the existing structure – might seem radical, yet it represents a thoughtful response to contemporary living patterns. The resulting spaces flow with the kind of fluid connectivity that defines modern domesticity, while the omnipresent wood provides tactile warmth that concrete and steel cannot match.