This collector’s triplex atop Paris demonstrates the art of ascent

Perched on the top floors of a historic Parisian edifice, a venerable triplex has been reborn as a sanctuary of contemporary design and art under the direction of architect-designer Sophie Dries. Following the natural evolution of their lives—the quiet departure of their children—the art-collecting owners embarked on a deeply personal journey: to completely revamp and redefine their residence. Their mandate to Dries was clear: to create a space that would not merely house their formidable collection but act as a stunning, contemporary stage for over 300 works, while radically optimizing comfort and the flow of daily life.

This ambitious transformation, supported by meticulous engineering, resulted in a meticulously tiered residence of three distinct levels. The first is dedicated entirely to the couple's private world, an expanded, serene primary suite. Above it, an entire floor is reserved for guests, ensuring privacy and comfort. Crowning the home is the top level, a breathtaking space dedicated to grand entertaining, seamlessly extending onto two expansive terraces that offer a privileged, cinematic view over the iconic rooftops of Paris. The very soul of the project is a sculptural, winding staircase which dramatically encircles the elevator. This architectural backbone performs a crucial function, drawing together volumes that had once felt fragmented, now unifying them with a fluid, modern line.

The aesthetic signature is one of refined, gentle curves and soft, enveloping lines. This immediately sets the tone in the entrance, a space of quiet drama defined by a monumental tapestry by Laure Prouvost, an opulent bronze sideboard by Garouste & Bonetti, and a bespoke chandelier conceived by Sophie Dries herself. Everywhere, the spaces have been pared back and purified, ensuring that every glance is drawn to the collection's sheer breadth, from the intimacy of drawings by Pablo Picasso and Jannis Kounellis to the expressive portraits of Claire Tabouret and the powerful concrete forms of Marc Leschelier. The material narrative continues with metal-and-leather furniture by Odile Mir (LOMM ÉDITION) and the irreplaceable presence of the iconic 1980s fireplace, a creation of the sculptor Philolaos.

Dries has championed an aesthetic of "noble and understated materials," allowing the home to speak in hushed, luxurious tones. Throughout the rooms, the richness of travertine and the intricate grain of burl wood veneers play against a perfectly calibrated palette of neutral tones. This quiet luxury provides a foil for exceptional design pieces: the minimalist elegance of a table by Wonmin Park, the futuristic form of Joe Colombo’s Tube chair, and the distinctive, artistic creations of Gaetano Pesce. The Petra side table, another bespoke design by Dries, anchors the space. Even previously utilitarian areas have been reimagined with poetic purpose: a former attic space now serves as a panoramic reading room with breathtaking light, and a curved corridor has been transformed into an intimate, jewel-box drawing cabinet.

The finished penthouse is the culmination of exceptional design collaborations and a resolute vision. Interior architecture transcends its function to become a stage—a vibrant, resolutely contemporary setting where art, life, and the light of Paris converge in harmony.