Parisian dj's apartment: a nautical nook, not a theme

Louise Chen, the Paris-based DJ known for igniting dance floors, needed a sanctuary—a space that could transition seamlessly from pulsating rhythms to the quiet joys of new motherhood. The result, a 753-square-foot apartment in the 9th arrondissement reimagined by architect Cyrus Ardalan, is less a nautical theme and more a subtly clever response to the apartment's inherent geometry.

The boat-like blueprint

Ardalán’s initial impression was striking: the apartment’s layout, with its unexpected nooks and crannies, immediately evoked the interior of a ship. Rather than leaning into predictable maritime clichés—think anchors and rope—he opted for a more sophisticated interpretation. The key? Dark plywood paneling, applied with an almost surgical precision.

The hallway, previously a shadowed and awkward passage, became the project’s focal point. Ardalan’s team wrestled with the paneling's height, installation method, and density, aiming for a balance between enclosure and airiness. The panels stop short of the ceiling, leaving a crisp white edge—a clever trick to prevent the space from feeling claustrophobic. “Ship doors” and