Studio Sirach responds to the evolving lifestyle of a young couple and their children, who recently made their former vacation house their permanent home. With the upper floor no longer meeting their spatial needs, the lower level was transformed into a fully integrated living area, including a bedroom, bathroom, and generous storage solutions.
© Lucille Descazaux
The intervention is anchored by a key architectural gesture: a new staircase that reconnects the previously disconnected basement to the main floor. Due to structural constraints, no alterations to the existing floor slab were possible. The design solution embraces this limitation with ingenuity, inserting a compact, playful stair that fits within the narrow footprint of the original opening. A series of wooden ‘stepping stones’ initiates the descent, leading into a white powder-coated metal staircase that balances solidity and visual lightness.
© Lucille Descazaux
Throughout the space, new built-in furniture is carefully integrated within the raw architectural context. The existing brick ceilings have been preserved and left exposed, celebrating the building’s original materiality while embracing the building’s original character.
Project Info
Architects: Symbiose Interior Architecture & Design
Country: Ria-Sirach, France
Area: 80 m²
Year: 2024
Photographs: Lucille Descazaux
Interior Architect And Designer: Jacqueline Vendrell
Anastasia Andreieva is an accomplished Architectural Projects Editor at Arch2O, bringing a unique blend of linguistic expertise and design enthusiasm to the team. Born and raised in Ukraine, she holds a Master’s degree in Languages from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. Her deep passion for architecture and visual storytelling led her to transition from translation and editorial roles into the world of design media. With a keen eye for conceptual clarity and narrative structure, Anastasia curates and presents global architectural projects with precision and flair. She is particularly drawn to parametric and digital design, cultural context, and emerging voices in architecture. When I’m not analyzing the latest architectural trends, you’ll probably find me searching for hidden gems in cityscapes or appreciating the beauty of well-crafted spaces. After all, great design—like great connections—can be found in the most unexpected places. Speaking of connections, because architecture isn’t the only thing that brings people together.