NEVER TOO SMALL: Paris Architect's Small Family Loft Extension - 45sqm/484sqft
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- Опубліковано 10 лют 2025
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Located near Paris’ Porte D’Ivry, Architect Olivier Menard of Archibien wanted additional space for his growing family without needing to relocate. In partnership with his neighbour he designed a radical change to the building that expanded the top floor apartments into the attic space above. This allowed the first floor to be devoted to living space, alongside a small concealed laundry and soundproofed bathroom, while the second floor could be entirely occupied by the master bedroom and kids room. The master includes built-in storage and a double glazed window that looks down to the kitchen, providing space for a small study desk within the room. Creatively concealed storage ensures the kids room remains open to grow with them over time. Similarly, hidden storage features throughout the rest of the apartment, including steps and stairs that double as shelving, as well as stepped cabinetry in the L shaped kitchen, reflecting the extremely efficient use of space that led this one bedroom apartment to become a family home.
#smallapartment #architecture #interiordesign
Project Name: Paris Duplex Extention
Designer: www.archibien....
Produced by New Mac Video Agency
Creator: Colin Chee
Director: Nam Tran
Cinematographer: Matthieu Torres
Producer: Lindsay Barnard
Editor: Jessica Ruasol
Music: Shades of Green by We Dream of Eden Artlist.io
If you’re an architect or designer with a project we could feature, please share it with us at www.nevertoosmall.com/submissions
Architect: www.archibien.com
Contractors: Sima Batiment, Humeau Eco Construction & Agence Francilienne du Batiment
Cinematography: @matthieu__torres
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I’d very much prefer you to call the biggest bedroom the „primary bedroom“.
No shipment to Europe, too bad :(.
I have a project in Manila I would like to feature, rooms are 11-12sqm in size.
Huge thanks to the Never Too Small team for featuring our work in such a brilliant video - we're delighted here at Archibien. 🙏
I worry about that mirror and door handle 1:14
Clean lines, high ceilings with lot's of light, great storage, use of old and found items and finally.......a comfortable couch! The white with the softening woodwork is so calming and stylish. Looks far bigger than 48sm. Love this one
I totally agree about the sofa...in fact it was the first thing I noticed.
Too many of these tiny apartments and homes have cumbersome modular furniture (I don't want to spend all day reconfiguring my furniture depending on whether I need a couch, a dining table, or a guest bed) or seating with built in storage that just looks like uncomfortable wooden boxes with some cushions thrown on top.
In fact, in so many of these homes, so much time and thought goes into the kitchen/dining area, bathroom/laundry, and bedroom(s), and the living space just seems like an afterthought, and is the most uncomfortable and awkward area of the home.
@@Terri_MacKay It was the first thing I noticed as well! The furniture reconfigurating and the uncomfortable sofas are not cozy and convenient. This apartment is well laid out and they don't have to start moving things around to lounge or eat etc. They have regular stairs not some staircase floating in the air without a ramp!🌷
@@minigiant8998 But this couple isn't elderly so it works for them and fits their present needs.
I own a togo ducaroy couch...in my opinion they look amazing but are not comfortable at all
@@minigiant8998 No. The creases aren't deep.
I already loved the whole place and then he popped that mirror-door open to the hidden laundry room... one of the most clever, liveable designs thus far.
I agree! I was like wow!
Porte d'ivry is a bit of a shithole.
You can tell because of the Lyca Mobile Taxi phone storefront at 0:54 that's where the blacks buy prepaid cellphones and use western union.
I so love the amount of upcycled pieces that make up the home. The woven hose pipe chair, reupholstered couches, reclaimed chimney slab and the bathroom sink!! Absolutely in love with this project, props to the architects for designing in such a considered and minimally impacting way.
Amei seu comentário! Estou num momento de transição e o minimalismo tem sido um remédio pra minha vida!
agreed! how lucky are they to have found so many great pieces outside? i imagine the renovation was costly so i’m sure they’re glad to have saved some money w/ those recycled & reclaimed pieces. i’m obsessed w/ how they hid the utility closet behind the mirror. genius!
This has got to be one of my favourite projects you've ever featured. I love that marriage between modern, savvy design and older pieces that they gave a second chance to shine.
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I came to post the same. It’s amazing
“We made friends with our neighbor” And lifted the roof. And thus, a home was born. So bold and charming, knowing exactly where the boundaries are and the joy of blending them.
This has to be one of my favorites. Def. somewhere in the top 10 of all the spaces featured on this channel. It's not spectacular and doesn't need to be, it's just a very well executed, thought out and most importantly, cozy hideaway in the middle of a big city. Love the wood and stone wall elements, which gives this place somehow a grounded feel.
I agree. I was going to also post that this feels like some of the simplest spaces and yet very mindfully planned.
Such a well thought design for small family living! It feels just right and not too cramped with all the lovely light and interesting structural details. The mirror concealing the laundry room is genius. I also really love the integrated baby gate on the stairs. Detachable baby gates are absolute hell as kids age!
This is lovely. Of course it helps to live in a Parisian neighborhood where you find matching sets of designer sofas "in the streets", lol. When someone leaves a couch by the road in my area it means a cat peed on it at the very least.
They did have it reupholstered, but I get what you mean. Doing this with such designer pieces is worth it, the cat pissed sofas on the our curbsides...maybe not so much.
Yes! NTS, homes like this are what need to be highlighted. Retreats/second homes/ vacation rentals, not so much.
Strongly agree! These are, by far, my favourite videos - actual primary homes used by people living their daily lives. If the whole schtick is about sustainability, these are the homes that are important. Please, no more AirBnBs!
Right! I have always viewed NTS as a channel that is about saving spaces and sustainability. Second or vacation homes don't usually fall into that.
This small home gives me life. They repurposed, reused and upcycled so many things, and it gives so much character in contrast with the decision to keep simple flooring and neutral base colours.
I could weep with joy.
A great architect takes these small home to the next level.
I like the confidence in his voice. You can tell he feels extreme pride for the work that was put into designing their home.
Just brilliant. Basic French architecture gives a designer a good head start. They build with exposed stone work in chalky white and exposed blond wood beams. I've seen fulsome and classy examples of this in videos of French country houses too. The feel of this apartment does give a slightly unfinished impression as if the owners had yet to put their art work on display. The balcony lends a touch of the expansive and relaxed atmosphere one needs to feel complete in a home. All in all the apartment is a celebration of Fench ingenuity, attention to detail and class.
Gotta love that hidden laundry room behind the mirror, wow. Extremely clever and clean design. Wonderful apartment, feels so big and bright.
J'aime beaucoup les rangements qui épousent la forme des fenêtres. Quant au fauteuil jaune, il illumine la pièce comme un soleil. Beau travail.
Everything about this home feels so intentional and deliberate. Many architects will talk about design theories that contribute to the final product but every design choice in this home is deeply respectful of the past, present and future. Incorporating vintage and antique pieces within the space makes the home feel a lot warmer than some designs which use exclusively new and bespoke furniture. This is really incredible
Don’t even know how I got here but I’ve been watching these faithfully for a few months now. Beautiful homes!
This is adorable and so peaceful. I love how they integrate sound proofing in a busy city
What an exquisite blend of classic architecture. a more modern fit-out, and precious family heirlooms - superb! ♡
In love with this architect, simple yet super cozy. The aesthetic 🥰
Love the hidden laundry room, very clever.
Also I am a big fan of the high ceiling kitchen that makes the room light and airy and doubles as a second window for the bedroom, very well designed!
And I do like the exposed stone wall.
wow I love how much personality this apartment has and how well it was designed to fit the family's needs. And the sunlight! love it
For an apartment in Paris, this piece is so unique ! Amazing spaces and so much light ! That is stunning !
It's so nice to see one of these small homes that is still filled with heirlooms and repurposed items.
Very well designed simple home. The century old cupboard with a marble top feels royal. The terrace is a lovely space not too big nor too small. Yellow couches instantly make the whole space bright. Clean and white deco elsewhere is soothing to the eyes. The shoe rack is well concealed and the double ceiling in the kitchen makes the space feel a lot bigger. The design is well thought and is reflected in things like the storage behind the mirror and ‘we wanted the bedroom to grow with our kid’. The refurbished chairs too look great! In India we don’t have skylights and attic and attic windows. So naturally they are another selling point for me. Overall its a really good space, well done!
I love the idea of soundproofing the bedroom. Great for the baby and the parents. I wonder how they did it and how well it works.
Hi, Olivier Menard here (the architect/owner). The soundproofing (doubled dry walls, extra-thick door, etc) works well, except that our daughter won't sleep with the door closed… 😅
@@archibien There goes plans for making another baby...
I was wondering where is the closet for her dresses and long coats? the storage is way too minimal...
@@madi4481 at 5.20 there is a narrow, full height, two door cupboard that lights up when owner, Olivier, opened it. It appears to store outer garments/coats and footwear.
I'm more impressed by the soundproofed bathroom door 😆
I thought that was a bit odd, actually. I would want to hear my child - and, on the other hand, most children sleep soundly through noise.
Yet another brilliant example of good use of space and height. The neutral color scheme helps make the apartment look bigger and more airy, but the pops of color stops it from becoming bland and boring. Well done indeed again! 👏
As others have said, this is very well done with good use of recycled materials. A comfortable, cosy, elegant space for this small family - and the hidden laundry is super.
It's amazing how much sustainability, upcycling and practicality were considered for this project, and the end result is fantastic.
This is perfect for a small family. There is enough space. Everyone has her own room and privacy. But it is small and cozy. And everything seems so practical. I would absolutely love living here
The soundproof door on the bathroom is what every space needs, regardless of size. All too often apartments have the bathroom right off the living space, so even with the door closed, there's not much semblance of sound privacy. What a great idea.
Simply, yet exquisitely designed, with lots of opportunities for natural light to enter the place. For example: The master bedroom featuring that large double-glass window overlooking the kitchen, plus the skylight above the desk was a very clever lighting solution! Whether it be used as a bedroom, or as an office,
M. Menard did a fantastic job at re-purposing the rooms, without compromising the original character of its original construction materials, i.e. I liked the fact that he allowed the original stones and ceiling wood beams to be part of the design upcycle!
The design feels light and spacious especially with the pleasant colour scheme.
The layout of the spaces creates a feeling of notable spaciousness, despite the small size. I was fascinated by the use of recycled and economical elements, showing consideration for the environment. Additionally, the idea of the laundry room hidden behind the mirror is excellent for optimizing space efficiently.
Somehow I find this... melancholic
This is one of the most beautiful designs I have ever seen.
One of my favorites so far. Beautifully done.
What a wonderful place! Here the old and the new are merged into a spacious living unity, every detail was thought through, there is a view towards the outside and cozy atmosphere inside. A masterpiece!
Really nice view in the living room, and this house must be the place to make delicious food everyday with a lover :D
I can't believe what they managed to do with so many second-hand furniture and materials. I also can't believe that anyone throws TOGO sofas in the trash!!!😲 Beautiful apartment but best of all is definitely the terrace. What a privilege! The coat closet under the stairs and the completely disguised laundry room are brilliant design and space-saving ideas.👌
I know right…. Couldn’t believe when he said they found £5k worth of sofas laying in the trash… wtf!!?
@@MoutinhoNuno 😂
Some people don't know what they have or they do but can't be arsed to freshen them up.
omg the moment i saw through that window. i felt something ive never felt and it was just wow🥰
Finally! This is a house of a real man! Absolutely brilliant and breathtaking, thoughtful and beautiful.
This is so beautiful and light, I love the stone wall of the kitchen. My only complaint would be the giant plant on top of the fridge, it seems unrealistic and staged. Or if it's really there all the time, then it feels like a waste of space... could use a bigger fridge or cabinet, or save it for counter space for cooking and then some floating shelves for extra storage.
So beautiful, and a really clever, liveable design. I really love the lightness of birch plywood. Light enough to keep the space feeling open, but enough timber hue for warmth. And I love the lounge chairs! They look super comfortable.
One of the best designs I have seen. Feels so spacious! The only thing I’d change is space for a larger fridge, since it is in the corner anyway
So many beautifully designed pieces in this home, you can tell everything has been very carefully considered. And I love how so much was found/recycled (woven hose chair, kitchen sink, tiles etc.) - bravo!
This really shows everyday living does not need too much square footage...or stuff. From the hidden laundry room (with all those stored items--including a sewing machine!😍) to the fabulous spaces for books, this place is so inspiring!💙
This home is absolutely stunning! Not only is the video gave such a meditative feeling to the place, I felt such a sense of serene. The owner really put alot of love into this home especially that he upcycled his grandmothers antiques! Grea Video Never Too Small!
The view out of the bathroom window (at 6:30) is just breathtaking! Such a confusing perspective, so many forms. Magnificent!
Many of us can relate to the sometimes frustrating length of time for remodeling and construction! In the end, it's usually worth it -- as in this project! Fantastic! 👍🏼😎✌🏼
Thank you for sharing. I love the loo little too unrelistic for most of us. We need full size fridge, and hidden storge for food nd cooking items. More closet/clothes storge too I sssume the washer is combo dryer. I know those sof pieces are famous and I love the upcycling but I thin the walls could have some more storage or decor. a tv in the living room is practicl for most but I love the use of space.
This apartment is genius! Love the laundry mirror door, the storage step leading to the terrace, the wooden ceilings, the window bench in the kitchen... an excellent, livable space.
I love the glass wall to allow the lighting from the sky light, and hello with the perception of a larger space. I also love the mentions of repurposing, and thriftiness.
This is one of the better small spaces I've seen on this channel - simple and elegant. I love making good use of space without excessive use of compartments and fold-out features.
So practical, so liveable, and still clear open spaces. Well done.
I love all the natural light coming in to the flat. The colours are soft and bring peace. The kitchen is super cute and lovely.
Congratulations for the baby and the new plan of the house ❤️🏡🎊👶🎉
Première fois qu’un architecte français n’a pas un accent atroce ! Félicitations !
Unbelievable! The gorgeous furniture, sink, and chairs he found on the streets of Paris is unheard here in the USA. I need to move to Paris to get me some jewels from the streets.
😄
Finally, a space that I genuinely feel I could live in! Biggest reason? Comfortable-looking sofa!
I love the fact that there is no TV but books everywhere (even in the bathroom LOL) and many pieces of furniture are second-handed.
Very sustainable, very elegant!!
Not sure what I am most impressed with - the lovely execution of the interior design or the fact that there finally is a Frenchman on this channel that speaks satisfactory English :) On a more serious note, I love all the recycling and upcycling work being done on this project. Quite the inspiration. Continuez à faire du bon travail!
There's something very enviable about a person with the luck and skill to find/make so many beautiful pieces for cheap or free. Much more than if he had said he paid thousands of euros.
You can see that this is an actual home instead of an airbnb.
And It looks great and functional.
for me it looks like an airbnb.. not much going on, nothing really personal
def one of the most beautiful projects featured on your channel. love all the recycled and yet stylist AND personal pieces and the realistic opportunity to live in a small space with children :) plus the owner is incredibly charismatic. in love with this project!
I love to see small space organization, it shows how resourceful humans can become. Bravo
This is one of the best I've seen. Wonderful sense of light air and space but still warm.
Nice flat and contemplative view on Gailhoustet and Renaudie's buildings.
Clever design. Simple. Love the revamping of free treasures & 2nd hand items
Lovely place - warm, textured. Good eye and choice-making. Wishing them joy in there.
The heritage brought into this home is so uplifting. Marvelous!
whenever i see family living in a small house with small fridge, i wonder how often do they have to go grocery shopping? or if they don't cook often. i have family of 3 and we have medium sized fridge and still struggle to fit our groceries sometimes😅 but anyway, the house is beautiful and it gives me some ideas. first of all, i was so surprised to know there's a laundry room behind that mirror. what a seamless hideout. it would be nice to keep a safety box in there😄 also i never thought of using water hose to fix a chair. that's nice idea. ah... i love the pop of yellow here and there. it's very fun💛
Every 2-3 days. Sometimes everyday depending if we want fresh produce. How often do you go?
I love yellow sofa,panoramic terrace,cabinet for the bench and magic mirror 😊 .Peaceful and cozy home.
Amazing all the second hand stuff they used. This is somewhere I could see myself living.
Impressed by how personal their stuff is in this lovely little house.
Wow. What a brilliant space...light... bright. Just the fabulous pop of colour....great in proportions area of the room and functionality...I like it very much...well done .. even more importantly....lives of family share the next new chapters....in new adventures.
Lovely apartment. Love the use of found and reused furniture.
This one is actually one of the rare ones that I personally think are livable. The space is so well designed and it doesn't feel as "empty" as some others. It's pretty insane that they could build a second floor, makes the flat feel huge.
@@Hudpix16 oh yeah definitely
Well, this is actually 45sqm for the whole duplex. (I’m the architect/owner)
@@olivier.menard ah bon !!! Et bah vous avez fait un sacré travail, ça a a l'air carrément plus grand !
@@olivier.menard just saw this video, and your apartment is absolutely beautiful. Can you explain, did you swap apartments with your upstairs neighbour? I am confused how the upper extension is connected to your original apartment. Thanks.
Very nice, clean, clutter free, practical, multifunctional, thoughtful.
Very unique and really lovely re-use of materials. More architecture should be like this.
i love they incorporated found furniture from the street. such an airy light apartment. beautiful
Very smart. Feel bigger due to clever ideas and its colour scheme. No TV & books everywhere - love it! And that window in the master bedroom is amazing! Thank you for sharing.
Great, I like everything about the use of space, choice of materials and design. It looks functional and beautiful, made me smile while watching.
I need to go to the street where so many goodies were found.
Omg I wasn't expecting the laundry behind the mirror 🤩
Great work team! Keep em coming.
Finally a family house with kids inside! Thanks for showing it.
I used to live in the building that we can see from his terrace, so it was quite unexpected to see this video, I had seen this terrace from my appartment without knowing whom she was belowing to. This is very impressive, one of my favorite appartment from the channel. but the sad thing is that the neibourhood is the reason why I left : there were drug dealers standing all day long and too much pollution (I sincerly hope that the situation has evolved for this great family !)
so interesting, I live nearby but I cannot figure out where exactly the street is = is it Paris side or Ivry? because the narrow streets he shows, I don't see any dealers there?
oh nevermind, found it haha, I understand you moving out, I don't like the town
Love every upcycling idea in this house. The only thing I would try to incorporate is a tiny washroom upstairs as children will have to go downstairs, sometimes at night.
it’s really nice to see these apartments which include options for small families with young children but still look so spacious, it’s kind of ideal as a starter home.
Just outstanding. That a space can be so simple but still exude personality and not look like a show home. One of my favorites ♥️
It is without any doubt one of the best houses NTS has brought on UA-cam. Congrats.
The mirror door - what a great idea!
The interior feels light bright and spacious, lovely apartment.
I love how the owners re-used lots of things they found just on the streets or inherited from their families. That was a great watch!
Perfect!!!! Omg!! I am inlove with this apartment!!! The best one I’ve seen here so far. It’s modern, bright, got great layout and the furnitures old and new are perfect for this space. The view is awesome!! I wanna have one for myself! Beautiful!!!👌👌👌
Love the simplicity and functionality.
Very elegant apartment.
Lovely space! I've noticed that French people are more likely to treasure old pieces and recycle pieces they find on the roadside. I love that approach!
I love this channel. So much diversity in solutions and taste.