Private terrace project completed

In Montreuil-sous-Bois, a suburb of Paris, a private project by the architecture firm Paris Atlas was completed in 2026. The project involved transforming an underused part of a home into a functional and aesthetically pleasing outdoor space.

Reimagining roof space

The architects converted two single-pitched roofs, originally designed to channel rainwater into a courtyard, into an accessible first-floor terrace. This transformation created a new domestic space that was both spacious and intimate, addressing the lack of usable outdoor areas in urban homes.

Preserving courtyard and access

The design of the terrace was carefully planned to preserve the courtyard and its vegetation. A staircase was integrated into the garage volume, overlapping with the basement to maintain its useful surface area. This approach ensured that the existing structure remained functional while adding the new space.

Design elements and materials

Three steps made of perforated folded sheet metal marked the beginning of the staircase. The staircase then continued between the shared wall and a wooden framework that incorporated technical support for a future summer kitchen. This blend of materials and functions highlighted the project's attention to both form and utility.

Balancing privacy and openness

On the courtyard side, a discreet rail fence allowed light and views to pass while maximizing the terrace’s surface area. On the street side, a custom-made facade-rail fence with 19 posts created a continuous boundary with the public space. The variable depth of the posts allowed for multiple uses—seating, rail, or support—while creating a gradient of intimacy.

Aesthetic and functional continuity

The structure gradually protected the terrace from views without closing it off, maintaining an open feel. The design was mirrored on the perpendicular wall with wooden cladding that evoked the peach walls of Montreuil. The flooring aligned its joints with the posts of the facade, creating a cohesive and harmonious look.

Connecting interior and exterior

A window completed the design by opening a direct communication with the terrace and framing the landscape of Montreuil's rooftops. This final touch transformed the originally utilitarian roof into a new inhabited space, a place of welcome, view, and breathing, seamlessly integrated into the house.