Amid the intricate façades and quiet courtyards of the 4th arrondissement, a dialogue unfolds between past and present. Within the walls of the 17th-century Hôtel de Sagonne—once home to architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart—Melbourne-based studio Wood/Marsh reimagines a Parisian apartment as a study in architectural balance. The project honours history while allowing contemporary design to breathe, its rhythm set by the quiet continuity of Oak underfoot.
Residential – Paris, France
Architect: Wood/Marsh
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Layers Oak Classic
Thickness: 19 mm. / US 0.87"
Width: 300mm / US 11.81"
Length: 2-5 m / US 6' 67" - 16' 5"
Finish: Light Oil
In restoring the Paris Apartment, Wood/Marsh approached the task with a restrained clarity—stripping away later alterations to reveal the original proportions of Hardouin-Mansart’s baroque residence. Every decision was guided by the dual imperative of preservation and renewal. Historic details were not replicated but recontextualised, allowing the space to evolve without losing its sense of time.
To unify the fragmented interior, Wood/Marsh introduced Layers Oak Classic engineered planks in a light-hued finish. The generous dimensions of the planks echo the scale of the grand rooms, while their subtle grain and pale tone create a calm, continuous surface that links old and new. The flooring’s discreet presence allows both architectural detail and art to coexist without competition, softening transitions between the formal and informal spaces.
"We chose Layers for its modest thickness, stability, versatile installation options, and sustainability, alongside its aesthetic resemblance to Dinesen solid floorboards,” Marco explained.
In a home where marble, mirrored surfaces, and sculptural joinery define contemporary moments, Oak flooring provides the grounding note—a timeless material bridge connecting centuries of Parisian architecture with a distinctly modern sensibility
