Family
A Parisian Artist’s Studio, Reimagined by a Family of Architects
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Marine de la Guerrande & Adrien Pineau, Gustave, 17 and a half, Germain, 15, Arsène, 13, Polly, 5 and Iggy, 1
Like many stories these days, this one starts with the 2020 pandemic—a moment that upended the way we all lived. After months of lockdown in their compact Parisian apartment of nearly a decade, architects Marine de la Guerrande and Adrien Pineau, along with their three kids and their dog, decided it was time for a drastic change. "A matter of mental health," they laugh as they welcome us into their sun-drenched artist’s studio in the heart of a lively Parisian neighborhood. We sat down to talk interiors, daily life, and the balancing act of a home filled with teenagers and pets.
Location
Paris
Author
Elsa Cau
Photos and videos
Constance Gennari, Maeva Dayras
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TSF
Marine, Adrien, tell us about your background.
Marine
We’re both certified architects, trained and graduated from the Nantes School of Architecture. We kickstarted our careers in Tokyo, working in Japanese studios.
Adrien
Yeah, I was at Atelier Bow-Wow, and Marine worked at Shigeru Ban Studio. After that, we came back to France, spent some time in Nantes, then moved to Paris, where we founded our firm about 15 years ago.
TSF
How did your upbringing shape your aesthetic?
Marine
I grew up by the sea in La Baule, in a classic Anglo-Norman-style house—the very definition of a seaside villa—surrounded by elegant interiors, antique furniture, and family heirlooms. But my personal taste? It evolved in contrast to all that tradition.
Adrien
I grew up in the countryside in a converted 19th-century railway station with a modern extension. My love for design really took shape in my teenage years, through fine arts and contemporary art discoveries.
Marine
And, of course, our architecture studies, travels, and passion for contemporary art played a huge role. I spent a year on an Erasmus program in Finland before we moved to Tokyo, and those experiences deeply influenced our taste—especially for unique 20th-century pieces that bear the marks of time.
TSF
Tell us about this space.
Marine
We found it through word of mouth in our own neighborhood. We had already lived in this area but spent the first lockdown trapped in a much smaller apartment. Let’s just say, being cooped up for weeks with kids and pets? It was the final straw. We needed to move—for the emotional, mental, and psychological well-being of the entire family, especially mine (laughs).
Adrien
What immediately won us over were the massive bay windows flooding the space with natural light. It’s incredibly peaceful, with views over lush greenery—a rare luxury in such a vibrant part of Paris.
Marine
It’s also about the sense of volume. The layout is compact yet incredibly efficient, with no wasted space. Each child has their own room, which, trust me, is a game-changer. And then there’s the building itself—hidden at the back of a courtyard, with its old façade and oversized bell. The courtyard is beautifully landscaped, giving it an almost exotic charm. Some of our guests say it feels like stepping into Spain or Portugal. It transports them.
TSF
What kind of atmosphere were you aiming for?
Marine
Honestly? No predefined style. Everything you see here is the result of chance encounters—pieces that spoke to us at different moments in our lives. We never set out to create a Scandinavian, industrial, or Louis XVI aesthetic. It’s simply a home that reflects who we are.
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There was never a strict plan to go for a Scandinavian, industrial, or Louis XVI style! The decor is simply a reflection of who we are.
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TSF
Do you enjoy thrifting?
Marine
Absolutely! We often browse second-hand sites like Leboncoin. Two pieces come to mind: our 1950s bar and a pair of matching bedside tables. Funny enough, we found them years apart—one at a flea market on Boulevard Voltaire, the other online.
TSF
Any favorite pieces in your home?
Adrien
I love our small dresser by Dutch designer Cees Braakman for Pastoe—its structure is almost architectural, like a miniature framework. And next to it, there’s the Air Mantis lamp by Bernard Schottlander, produced by DCWÉ.
Marine
I have a soft spot for our sideboard and dining table, both designed by Nils Johnson for Troeds—classic 1960s Swedish design. Then there’s our bright yellow USM unit. Normally, I’m not a fan of bold colors, but USM pieces handle sunflower yellow and lawn green like no other furniture can! More than anything, though, I treasure our art collection. One standout piece? A photograph by Lucille Boiron—though you can’t see it because I’ve lent it out for an exhibition! I also love a small abstract, mineral-like sculpture by Linda Sanchez, called Carottage. It reminds us of our construction sites—very architectural. We’ve also recently added a Mustafa Azeroual photograph (a gift for Adrien) and a lithograph by Claire Tabouret.
TSF
What’s life like with your pets?
Marine
Polly-Jean, aka Polly, is our five-year-old Münsterländer, and Iggy, our black rescue cat, joined the family a year and a half ago. Both are named after musicians—a nod to when I met Adrien, who was still torn between architecture and a music career. Iggy, having been raised by a dog, behaves more like one—waiting eagerly by the door for us to come home. Meanwhile, Polly is luckier—she’s our firm’s unofficial mascot, accompanying us to client meetings, the office, even cafés.
TSF
How did they become part of the family?
Adrien
I was against having pets in Paris. Then, for Father’s Day, I was gifted Polly. A trap. Once you see them, there’s no going back... And the cat?
Marine
That was for your birthday (laughs). The kids and I really wanted a pet, and the only way to make it happen was to force Adrien’s hand.
TSF
Have you ever designed a space with pets in mind?
Marine
Once. A client needed a discreet, functional solution for their cat’s litter box—always a challenge in Parisian apartments! We built it into a custom hallway closet, with a pivoting door that acts like a cat flap. It had to be invisible yet accessible, both visually and olfactorily. Hygiene first!
TSF
What’s keeping you busy right now?
Adrien
We recently completed Îlot Lafayette, an office project at the intersection of Rue La Fayette and Rue du Faubourg Saint-Martin in Paris. It won the 2024 Équerre d’Argent architecture award. We also just wrapped up the Grand Marché Central de Kinshasa—an 80,000m² project built entirely in concrete and terracotta brick, operating on natural ventilation. It’s been shortlisted for both the 2025 Afex Grand Prize (for French architecture abroad) and the French Pavilion at the Venice Biennale. Another recent project? A sports center in Paris’s 12th arrondissement, which won the AMO Prize for most creative typology and an Eiffel Trophy for its steelwork. It’s a 19th-century hall transformed into a combat sports hub, designed with passive, bioclimatic principles for a minimal environmental footprint.
TSF
Your favorite Socialite Family piece?
Adrien
The Laura chair—elegantly designed, solid wood, and stackable. A perfect blend of beauty and function.
TSF
Favorite neighborhood spots?
Marine
We’re lucky to live in a dynamic, eclectic, and trendy area!
Adrien
I love Japan Best (Rue Notre-Dame de Nazareth) for Japanese-crafted objects.
Marine
For Asian groceries, Maison Huang (Rue de l’Échiquier) is unbeatable. And for Chinese food, L’Orient d’Or (Rue Richer)—possibly the best in Paris.
Adrien
For sweets? Sébastien Gaudard (Rue du Faubourg-Poissonnière).
Marine
For photography, Galerie Miranda. And for vinyls, Ground Zero—ask for Alban!
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