Zen and the city Evolved by two greats of Japanese design, this unique property is an oasis in the bustling heart of Paris

The evolution of this home, an oasis of tranquillity in the heart of Paris, has involved two greats of Japanese design

Stroll through the sequence of peaceful courtyards that lead from a busy street in the Bastille district of Paris to this hidden architectural gem and you will feel calm descend. This is a home unlike any other in the French capital. Built across four levels and clad head-to-toe in cedar, it was once the beloved residence of Kenzō Takada, the designer and founder of an eponymous fashion, skincare and perfume empire. Born in the picturesque Japanese city of Himeji, Kenzō emigrated to Paris in 1965, but with this house, which he created himself, he was able to bring the essence of his birthplace to his new home.

When Kenzō decided to leave the grand, 1,300 square-metre property in 1993 and downsize to a smaller apartment on the city’s Left Bank, he handed over not just the keys but also his personal vision of a zen Parisian paradise. Luckily, the property has now found owners who share the designer’s passion for this unique home. Intent on modernising, but without compromising its spirit, they drafted in the help of legendary Japanese architect Kengo Kuma.

The main change that Kuma’s team of architects – including Yuki Ikeguchi, Chizuko Kawarada and Masatoshi Tobe – made was to rearrange the space so that the garden, with its delicate cherry tree and koi pond, could be viewed from all corners of the house. To do this, they replaced the existing swimming pool with an engawa (a type of Japanese covered porch) and removed the walls and colonnades which used to divide the now open-plan living and dining rooms. ‘The changes bring transparency and continuity to the building,’ explains Masatoshi. Whole portions of the property were left untouched – the wing containing the sukiyazukuri- style tea room, with its tatami-mat flooring and traditional shoji screen, for instance. Bridging the divide between the reimagined sections of the house and these original rooms was perhaps one of the biggest challenges.

‘It was a struggle,’ admits Masatoshi, ‘but we picked European oak for the floors and ceiling louvres to match with the materials palette in the rest of the property.’ Luckily, Kuma’s team were also able to collaborate with Atelier Kiol, the local architecture practice that helped Kenzō with his initial designs. ‘With their help, we were able to change the pale green paint that past owners had added and reproduce the pure white that first graced the walls,’ adds Masatoshi.

When the architecture is this striking, very little is needed in the way of decoration, so furniture has been kept sparse. Just a few carefully chosen pieces grace the minimalist interiors. These include the collection of ‘Wishbone’ chairs by Hans J Wegner for Carl Hansen & Søn that surround the handcrafted dining table, which is made from the same oak as the floors, walls and ceilings.

Recently invited to revisit his passion project, Kenzō was moved by the sensitivity of the transformation. ‘My old home is even more Japanese than when I was living there,’ he remarks. ‘But it has also become more modern by Mr Kuma’s hands.’ kkaa.co.jp

The EUROPEAN OAK used for the floors and ceiling LOUVRES

matches Kenzō Takada’s ORIGINAL materials PALETTE

FURNITURE has been kept SPARSE. Just a few carefully chosen pieces grace this MINIMALIST interior

Exterior Nestled amid more traditionally Parisian properties, this home is at once discreet and completely different Opposite, top EOOS’s ‘Living Landscape 755’ sofa for Walter Knoll creates a relaxing spot in this open-plan space. For a similar high table and chairs, try Shang Xia. The ‘Butterfly’ stool is by Sori Yanagi for Vitra Opposite, bottom By the floating oak staircase, which links the living room with the dining room on the next level, a custom-made bench and coffee table by Kengo Kuma & Associates is paired with two ‘Clio’ armchairs by Antonio Citterio for Maxalto at B&B Italia. The armchair is the ‘Le Chat’ by Pierre Paulin for Artifort

Opposite Celebrating the natural curve and fissures of timber, this custom-made dining table is by Kengo Kuma & Associates. It is surrounded by ‘CH24’ chairs by Hans J Wegner for Carl Hansen & Søn Kitchen Separated from the dining room by sliding shoji screens, the cooking area features a run of bespoke units and a freestanding island, all designed especially for this home by Kengo Kuma & Associates

Above A shoji screen opens up to reveal the Japanese garden. This wooden ‘Conoid’ bench by George Nakashima is the perfect place to take in the view Opposite, top Located in one of the sections of the house untouched by Kengo Kuma & Associates, this room features the same oak floors, as well as a selection of iconic designer chairs – the ‘F572’ by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, ‘Wicker Chair’ by Marc Newson for Idée and a sculptural wooden chair by Korean artist Jae Hyo Lee. The floor lamp behind is by Serge Mouille Opposite, bottom Located just off the tatami-floored tea room, the low-cushioned engawa, or covered porch, provides a corner for contemplation, connecting the home to the calm courtyard beyond

Landing and stairways The oak staircase that connects the four levels of this home is deceptively simple, with clean architectural lines, while rotating screens in Japanese ash provide an interesting way of separating the bedroom from the hall. The lacquered Japanese chest at the bottom of the staircase is a vintage piece Bedroom Oak stars in this space, with its walls of bespoke built-in cupboards and custom-made bed See Stockists page for details