Now open: The First French Project by Goddard Littlefair

Posted in News on 27 July, 2023

Goddard Littlefair’s first French project, Le Parchamp, Paris Boulogne, a Tribute Portfolio hotel, has seen the design studio transform a former bank in the affluent, historic and enchanting neighbourhood of Boulogne-Billancourt.

Award-winning interior design studio Goddard Littlefair has lent their expertise to their first project in France, Le Parchamp, which opened in the Boulogne-Billancourt neighbourhood this July. Drawing on Boulogne-Billancourt’s history as the epicentre of modernism and the birthplace of French cinema the studio has effortlessly blended visionary ideas with considered design details into the hotel’s ground floor and rooftop bars, reception area and guest rooms. The result is a contemporary celebration of Le Parchamp’s architectural heritage together with a playful nod to one of French cinema’s most iconic characters of the 1950’s and 1960’s, Monsieur Hulot.

Old World Romanticism Meets Fearless Modernism at Le Parchamp, Paris Boulogne, a Tribute Portfolio hotel. Image ©Filipe Wiens

Monsieur Hulot’s character, representing two worlds colliding, caught between the unrelenting advancement of modern life and nostalgia for the recent past, became a design muse for Goddard Littlefair. The design narrative also related directly to the building’s evolution, having previously served as a bank and subsequently converted to a hotel, the building itself shared Monsieur Hulot’s observations on the advancement of progress. Elements of his character created discrete devices and hidden silhouettes, adding a layer of rich storytelling, intrigue for guests experiencing the mystery of a hotel with a hidden muse.

Reception

The repetition of a striped motif throughout the reception area and bar replicates the bold verticality of the building’s facade details as well as a nod to one of Mr Hulot’s iconic accessories, his striped socks. This detail also plays out on the bespoke banquette seating and the timber panelling that adorns the centralised bar area. The bar is a juxtaposition of period and modernist style, a nod to the building’s hidden past-life as a bank and a realisation of the dichotomy of the two eras that Mr Hulot sits between and silently observes.

Images ©Kate Devine

The bar retains the grandeur of the building’s classical past, within a refreshed, contemporary scheme, featuring antique brass, grand chandeliers and ribbed timber. The colour palette throughout the reception lobby and bar area is a toned-down take on the hues and graphics commonly used during the French film era for which Boulogne-Billancourt is famed. These earthy tones and warm character, supported by French elegance, makes for a sophisticated and timeless design.

The guest rooms have also been influenced by another of Monsieur Hulot’s iconic accessories, his umbrella. A handle-shaped motif features in repetitive fabric designs, in a bespoke carpet design which manifests in a half moon pattern and in bathroom detailing, such as a mirror hung in an arch-shaped casing. Goddard Littlefair has designed two types of guestroom, one adorned in terracotta and burnt orange hues that echo the building’s exterior and the other featuring a sage green palette that connects to the area’s verdant green spaces. Block colour ceilings were inspired by a similar technique made famous by Le Corbusier, the modernist architecture pioneer who had a home in the local area. Le Corbusier’s furniture and styling influenced the studio’s choice in bespoke furniture and lighting design, retaining subtle industrial influences with the use of bold black lines and metallic finishes.

Bathroom image ©Yann Audic. Rooftop images ©Kate Devine

The gem of Le Parchamp is the rooftop bar, where guests can take in the views of Boulogne’s cosmopolitan Square Léon Blum and in the distance, the Eiffel Tower. The bar features subtle references to the area’s filmmaking heritage with a mix of cinema style lounge seating and traditional, Parisian-style cafe chairs and tables. Surrounded by greenery – creating a warm and relaxed ambiance, striped parasols and table tops featuring a modernist-inspired graphic also reference Monsieur Hulot. The opportunity to dine outdoors is also available on the ground floor level where the hotel’s spacious courtyard is wrapped by the bar lounge and restaurant, providing a seamless connection between interior and outdoor areas, allowing guests and visitors from the neighbourhood to relax and escape in this Modernist meets contemporary Parisian oasis.

Image ©Filipe Wiens

Goddard Littlefair transports guests as soon as they enter Le Parchamp, taking them on a journey through the modernism period and into the present day, an elegant merging of design styles that celebrate the historic and enchanting neighbourhood of Boulogne-Billancourt. The studio is well versed in residential, wellness and hospitality design projects and when it comes to hotel design the guests experience is of the utmost importance. Their human centric designs create compelling and emotive narratives that give guests greater context and connection to their surroundings.

Goddard Littlefair
Goddard Littlefair is a London and Porto based, luxury interior design house with international expertise and a global portfolio, established in 2012 by Martin Goddard and Jo Littlefair. The company creates inspirational, award-winning, narrative-led designs for high-end and luxury hotels, hospitality and spa projects, as well as high-end private and developer residential schemes.

The Goddard Littlefair studio is made up of a highly experienced and international team of architects, interior and FF&E designers, along with other related specialists. Their 50 strong team is led by the Founders who continue to drive the company’s creative vision. Their expertise, and an emphasis on a fully bespoke service, has won them multiple awards and industry accolades.

The studio is world-renowned for their innovative hospitality projects, including the Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul At Sultanahmet, Mandarin Oriental Vienna, Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland, Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik, Hilton Vienna Park, Intercontinental Berlin, Kimpton Charlotte Square, Villa Copenhagen Hotel, Corinthia Palace Spa in Malta, Chelsea Barracks Spa in London and The Mayfair Townhouse, in London, by Iconic Luxury Hotels. In 2021, Mondrian Shoreditch opened in London, including Michelin Starred Chef Dani Garcia’s first UK restaurant, highlighting the studio’s accomplished F&B division Epicurean. Notable high-end residential projects in London include The Corniche, Ebury Square, Southbank Tower and Canaletto, which was awarded Best Interior Design in the Development category of the British Homes Awards 2020. The studio has also been shortlisted in the British Homes 2021 for their Casson Square Penthouse project and are currently working on a luxury development in Hong Kong.

The Porto studio has designed high-profile international projects including a Fairmont Hotel, a Red Sea Development Project, Tribute Hotel, Bois de Boulogne, Paris; Wasserturm Hotel, Cologne, Curio Collection; three branded resorts in the Algarve.
www.goddardlittlefair.com

Tribute Portfolio
Tribute Portfolio – part of Marriott Bonvoy’s growing portfolio of characterful, independent hotels, is a collection of unique and independent hotels specially selected for the distinctive features and characteristics that make them unique. With more than 85 properties around the world, Tribute Portfolio is a favourite for those seeking independent experiences and longing to connect with the local community. Each Tribute Portfolio hotel celebrates its individuality and offers travellers a fresh, often colourful perspective. Now a member of the brand, Le Parchamp, Paris Boulogne, a Tribute Portfolio hotel will continue to strive for excellence in hospitality and service.
tribute-portfolio.marriott.com