In the heart of Paris, Zyva Studio, led by founder Anthony Authié, has reimagined a 60-square-meter apartment as a vibrant showroom, challenging conventional views on ornamentation. By focusing on how they revamp spaces, this daring transformation rejects Adolf Loos’s notion that “ornament is a crime” by making decoration both the starting point and essence of the space, rather than a mere afterthought.
The living and dining areas feature a terrazzo floor, a granite round table, and striking decorative chains in vivid red, blue, and yellow. Spiky, brightly colored flowers emerge from the floor, exemplifying how each element serves as both object and ornament. The apartment unfolds in playful complexity, where everyday elements like exposed ventilation ducts become visually vital motifs. As the studio reinterprets these elements, they contribute to a unique narrative.
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Colorful Visuals and Functional Design
Their approach infuses each corner with imagination. Monumental chains, akin to oversized children’s toys, hang prominently, while spiky flowers with yellow and red heads stretch towards the ceiling. Collaborating with Mosaic Factory, the studio designed a coffee table with a terrazzo top, reminiscent of Mario Bros’ iconic piping. This blend of high and low cultural references crafts a seamless narrative as the firm converts ordinary materials into works of art.
A Continuous Material Narrative
A recurring theme within the apartment is the use of aggregate patterns. Terrazzo covers the floors, integrates into the kitchen counters, and appears in the coffee table, creating a consistent thread across the space. This tactile variety is joined by playful features like star-shaped handles and doors punctuated with crosses and dots, showcasing their mastery in weaving diverse elements into a coherent design. When they rework these spaces, each detail contributes to the overall harmony.
The area includes a granite round table surrounded by vivid red chairs, offset by Dalmatian-patterned curtains that add whimsy to the space. They reshape this room into a cozy yet stylish environment.
A Harmonious Blend of Style and Function
Function meets artistry in their design. The integration of modular furniture like shelving by the window highlights practical solutions that complement the visual aesthetics. The bold choices extend into the workspace corner, adopting art pieces that speak to the studio’s eclectic vision. They turn these choices into a cohesive design language.
Moving into the living room, a cowhide rug adds texture, while the terrazzo coffee table by Mosaic Factory anchors the design.
Through the Dalmatian curtains, a peek into the bedroom reveals a clay bed against a metal headboard, where exposed pipes bring an industrial flair to the personal space.
The space concludes with a playful passage featuring doors marked by crosses and dots, ensuring that every detail aligns with the apartment’s ornamental theme.
The kitchen is equipped with a terrazzo worktop, accentuated by quirky star-shaped handles, merging style with functionality. They transform these elements into an engaging culinary workspace.
Explore Daniel Arsham’s artistic firehouse transformation to see how architecture and art merge seamlessly in urban settings.
Anthony Authié’s ingenious vision for Zyva Studio breaks norms, crafting an immersive environment that marries whimsy with structural intentionality, as they redefine every corner into a testament of innovative design.
Sources & Links
Source: designboom.com
Frequently asked questions
How does Zyva Studio’s design reject traditional ornamentation views?
Zyva Studio’s design challenges conventional views on ornamentation by making decoration the starting point and essence of the space, instead of an afterthought. They create a vibrant showroom that contrasts with Adolf Loos’s notion that ‘ornament is a crime.’
What playful features are integrated into the apartment design?
The apartment design includes playful features like star-shaped handles, doors punctuated with crosses and dots, and spiky, brightly colored flowers emerging from the floor. Monumental chains also hang prominently as part of the imaginative design.
What materials are consistently used throughout the apartment?
Terrazzo is a recurring material theme within the apartment, covering the floors, integrating into the kitchen counters, and appearing in the coffee table. This creates a consistent thread and tactile variety across the space.