The next Interior Design studio to enter into the arena with their stunning debut project is Studio Akademos. Headed by architectural duo Aurélien Raymond and Costanza Rossi who met in 2019 after both working at Studio Casiraghi, they established their own design firm shortly after their encounter in 2020. Their design philosophy has been articulated by the Café Society’s ‘heyday’ and has been infused with the avant-garde glamour of the 1970’s, which has then been reinterpreted to define their own signature aesthetic. 

They have launched into the scene, unveiling their debut project with the renovation of a 1936 late Art-Deco apartment on Rue De Levis in the 17th arrondissement, Paris. Putting their signature style to the test, they have created variating harmonies through the use of mirrors, stainless steel and lacquer to allow the two periods of Café Society and the 1970’s to coexist and to generate a dialogue between them.

The duo set out to create an architectonic experience through the dramatic use of glossy black lacquer applied to the archways and use of floor-to-ceiling mirrored closets used in the hallways to add to the dramatic effect. “This architectural gesture also allows to visually mark the transition between areas devoted to circulation and living spaces.”

Within the living and dining room, they paid homage to the school of the modern classicists designers who marked the twentieth century referencing Francois Catroux, Billy Baldwin and Tony Duquette. The fireplace has been used as the centrepiece of the room dressed in an ivory and black lacquer paint and surrounded with more floor-to-ceiling mirrors around it to add to the luxurious and dramatic effect. Two niches were designed on either side of the fireplace, hosting custom-made lit urns that were enamelled to recreate the 70’s look. Adding to the theatrics of the space, a teal blue satin curtain disguises the entertainment unit within the living room, whilst the coffee table is decorated with treasured antique pieces that have been collected.

Positioned next to the bay window, the duo designed the lacquered dining table that sits under a sculptured enamelled ceramic chandelier that references the 1930s. Behind the dining table is also another bespoke piece, the buffet cabinet which has been designed by the studio with a large bronze Maison Goossens mirror suspended over it to render that 1970s essence to the space as well.

For the master bedroom, inspiration was drawn from the lavish homes and rooms that were once owned by Barbara Hutton and Marie-Laure de Noailles. The bedroom was designed with a custom-made headboard upholstered in a warm burnt orange and framed in stainless steel. Elements of luxury were added with certain touches, such as the grand tapestry over hanging behind the headboard like a wallpaper canvas. Finishing the room, more 70s glamour has been animated within space with a set of custom-made enamelled bedside tables, and a vanity table decorated with more mirrors above it.

Imagining the transatlantic ships and the luxury voyages of the 1920s, the duo endeavoured to capture the essence of this past-time. To recreate this voyage, they applied blue ceramic mosaics to the bathroom floors and shower walls and used traditional Art Deco tapware with pedestal sinks that would be reminiscent of this period. Injecting their own personal twist through the means of anachronism and to create what they called ‘kitsch chic’, they added a pair of French empire sconces and a 17th century Chinese wall panel artwork. 

Project Rue De Levis is a remarkable exhibition of this young duo’s design capabilities and is a testament to their own signature design. They have eloquently merged to remarkable periods of design seamlessly into one, and we look forward to seeing more of their work in the future.

PHOTOGRAPHY | FRANÇOIS COQUEREL