Tucked away in the lively, densely-packed 11th arrondissement of Paris, where urban energy is the standard, lies an unexpected retreat: a private townhouse designed by the German firm Holzrausch Studio. This hidden family residence, complete with a beautiful front garden and shielded by a closed gate, offers an oasis of peace and quiet living, deliberately contrasting with the vibrant world outside. For a city as bustling as the French capital, this minimalist Paris residence is a rare find, functioning as both a serene family home and a subtle tribute to the art of woodworking and interior design.
The client—a former model, gallery owner, and creative professional—approached Holzrausch seeking an interior defined by calm, simplicity, and a purposeful avoidance of fleeting design trends. This project deeply reflects the studio’s core philosophy of restraint and a strong focus on material quality. The design stands out for its deliberate, almost monastic, limitation of the material palette: primary elements include robust oak, smooth plaster, natural stone, and stainless steel used sparingly in the kitchen. This disciplined approach ensures nothing disturbs the interior’s tranquility, even going so far as to exclude decorative elements or wall art, transforming the house itself into the primary aesthetic object.
Holzrausch’s expertise as master carpenters, interior architects, and designers is evident in the seamless integration of custom features. All lighting is meticulously recessed, and most of the furniture is built-in, with appliances discreetly concealed behind wooden doors, maintaining the clean, unbroken lines of the architecture. While the existing concrete floors were preserved, the design introduced new elements, including a revised façade and essential skylights. Given that the L-shaped building’s windows face only the courtyard, bringing abundant natural light into the four-story home became paramount, fundamentally shaping the spatial organization of this Paris architecture project.
The house spans approximately 3,800 square feet, and its defining feature is the undulating, sculptural staircase. This element acts as the architectural spine of the home, drawing light from above through the new skylight and distributing it across all levels. The wood selected for the staircase perfectly matches the elegant oak wall panels and custom joinery, creating a unified and warm atmosphere. With four bedrooms and four bathrooms, the space is perfectly tailored for a family of four. During warm weather, doors open wide to the front garden, naturally shifting daily life toward an effortless indoor-outdoor living experience, highly sought after in modern townhouse design.
A testament to the studio’s commitment to uncompromising quality, specialists and materials were sourced internationally. The intricate plasterwork was entrusted to Italian craftsmen, while the massive, durable oak floors and specific lighting elements were imported from Denmark. This meticulous curation reflects the studio’s holistic approach, which began as a simple wood workshop and has evolved into a comprehensive design studio that integrates fabrication and design under one roof. This short distance between conception and production is what many clients value most about working with the German design firm.
As Petri, cofounder and design lead, explains, the name ‘Holzrausch’ expresses a deep fascination with materials, not exclusively wood, and this mindset is thoroughly visible in the Private Townhouse in Paris. The entire project is a complete reflection of the firm’s commitment to simplicity, minimalism, and timelessness. This meticulously crafted Paris home is more than just an architectural renovation; it is a serene, finely-tuned sanctuary that champions the enduring elegance of natural materials and masterful craftsmanship, providing a truly unique experience of luxury living in the heart of a major European city.