On May 7, 2025, the third edition of the Île-de-France Architecture and Landscape Biennial (Bap! 2025), France’s most important architecture event, was inaugurated in Versailles. This edition features the joint curatorship of Sana Frini, from the Mexican firm LOCUS, and Philippe Rahm, from the French firm PHILIPPE RAHM ARCHITECTES.
Written by
Monica Arellano
Photography
Philippe Rahm Architects, Sana Frini
In Mennecy (France), Atelier Aconcept delivered the Nikola Karabatic Sports Complex in 2024 for the Communauté de Communes du Val d’Essonne, the project owner. The result is a striking, golden, levitating volume.
Project name
Nikola Karabatic Sports Complex
Architecture firm
Atelier Aconcept
Collaborators
• Sustainability: Effinergie+ & Eco-Design
Structural engineer
Gaïa, Ligot
Environmental & MEP
(Mechanical & Electrical Engineering), Cardonnel (Sustainability & HQE), Artacoustique (Acoustics)
Client
Communauté de Communes du Val d'Essonne
La Défense is the human-controlled economic center of Paris. However, with the spread of the COVID-19 and the deterioration of the environment, more and more people continue to work from home after the pandemic, and many companies have moved away.
Student
Yaqiong Song, Yuyu Hu
University
University College London
Teacher
Julian Besems; Philippe Morel
Tools used
Rhinoceros 3D, Grasshopper, Python, Adobe Photoshop
Project name
Forest Invasion Plan
Location
La Défense, Paris, France
Status
Concept - Design, Academic-Research Project
Typology
Landscape Design › Urbanism
Transforming a space into a blend of timeless elegance and warmth, this interior design features a stunning combination of pale pink walls and a luxurious forest green velvet armchair. The soft pink hues provide a calming atmosphere, while the rich green adds depth and sophistication. The natural wood accents bring in an organic.
Project name
Velvet Harmony
Architecture firm
Mah Design
Location
A chic apartment in Paris, France
Tools used
Midjourney AI, Adobe Photoshop
Principal architect
Maedeh Hemati
Design team
Mah Design Architects
Collaborators
Maedeh Hemati
Typology
Residential › House
In Lit-et-Mixe (Landes, France), nestled in the forest just steps from the ocean, Maud Caubet has recently completed a new project for a private client on a 1,510 m² plot. Designed as an extension of an initial project completed in 2018, this 178 m² (SDP) house (130 m² built in 2018, with an additional 48 m² in 2024).
Project name
House of Landes
Architecture firm
Maud Caubet Architectes
Location
Lit-Et-Mixe, Landes (40), France
Photography
Amaury Laparra
Principal architect
Maud Caubet
Supervision
R. Tarricq, Architect DPLG Structural Engineering : IDC
Material
Timber-Frame Construction On A Raw Concrete Base
Budget
€723,000 (Excl. VAT)
Typology
Residential › House
In the 19th arrondissement of Paris, within Parc de la Villette, the architectural firm Loci Anima (led by Françoise Raynaud) delivered in December 2024 the renovation of La Géode and its hemispherical cinema, originally designed by Adrien Fainsilber, for Universcience (owner) and Pathé Cinémas (concessionaire).
Architecture firm
Loci Anima
Photography
Adrien Daste & Loci Anima
Principal architect
Françoise Raynaud
Design team
Project Directors: Xavier Maunoury & Vincent Laplante. Construction Project Director : Halima Temam. Site Assistant: Elie François
Collaborators
Façade Engineering: Bollinger Grohmann. Fluid Engineering: ALTO Ingénierie. Economist: AXIO. Acoustician: Peutz. Safety Consultant: Studio Fahrenheit. Video Mapping & Sound: Moment Factory
Completion year
December 2024
Structural engineer
Khephren Ingénierie
Client
Universcience, Pathé Cinémas
Typology
Hemispherical and Immersive Cinema, Event Space
Located in the heart of a private, peaceful passage perched on the highest part of Paris, this project aims to offer a living space completely disconnected from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis.
Project name
OSLO Residence
Architecture firm
Christophe Rousselle Architecte
Photography
Takuji Shimmura
Principal architect
Christophe Rousselle, Jean Philippe Marre
Design team
Dimitri Chausset
Interior design
Furniture: NEOVA
Environmental & MEP
Plumbing and Sanitary: Shower tray and screens: IDEAL STANDARD - Cabinet, sink and WC: ROCA -Bathroom faucets: JACOB DELAFON - Dishwasher: MODERNA - Kitchen faucets: ROCA - Heating radiators: ACOVA
Lighting
Equipment and boards: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC -Spots: EUROPOLE, RESISTEX - Switches: LUXOMAT - Access Control: COMELIT IMMOTEC
Construction
Main Contractor / LPC
Material
Coatings / Flooring: CPF Compagnie Française Du Parquet - Tiling: SALONI Carpentry: Steel profiles: EDAC - Locks: VACHETTE, FOUSSIER - Doors: BLOCFER, ROZIERE, KEYOR, ECLISSE - Closet Doors: SOGAL: Mirrors: RECROSIO
Typology
Residential › Housing
Corsican architect Amelia Tavella has recently brought a secret, slumbering castle back to life in her southern homeland, nestled within a Provencal vineyard. Within the castle’s 1,600 m² central body, the architect has created a unique and mysterious exhibition space, surrounded by a dozen exclusive suites in the two wings of the castle.
Project name
Amelia Tavella brings a sleeping Castle back to life in the heart of the Provencal vineyards
Architecture firm
Amelia Tavella
Location
Aix-en-Provence, France
Principal architect
Amelia Tavella
Design team
Amelia Tavella
Interior design
Amelia Tavella
Supervision
Amelia Tavella
Tools used
software used for drawing: VectorWorks
Material
Stone, Wood, Terracotta
Typology
Castle Interior rehabilitation: creation of an exhibition space in the central part of the château and hotel accommodations in the wings of the château
