12 avenue Victoria
Transformation of the building of the Chamber of Notaries
The notarial profession, like many other legal professions, is currently undergoing rapid change following a major identity crisis, caused in particular by the introduction of digital practices in its areas of expertise. Faced with the distancing effect of these tools, it is crucial that the Hôtel de la Chambre des Notaires embodies the human values of listening, empathy and trust, which are essential to the practice of the profession. As a symbolic location for the profession, the Hôtel du Châtelet must reconcile the Company’s centuries-old expertise with contemporary dynamics. It is becoming a landmark, both rooted in the history of the notarial profession and focused on emerging practices.
Using a method similar to archaeology – historical analysis, chronological reading of successive interventions, identification of reusable elements – our approach aims to carefully assess the heritage value of the building. The transformation is inspired by anastylosis, which consists of complementing the existing structure with appropriate, measured interventions necessary for its renewal. This involves using common sense and making maximum use of existing resources.
The renovation of the Chamber is thus based on the reuse of materials in situ, improved thermal performance, and the creation of open, adaptable spaces that can evolve over time.
This project illustrates a desire to set an example, fully embracing the challenge of creating a moderate, adaptable and resilient city.
A strong bias: a distinction between public and private
Our reflections led us to seek a balance between boldness and humility in order to meet a major challenge: transforming a historically administrative building into an establishment that welcomes both the public and notaries, while preserving efficient workspaces.
Our intention is to clearly distinguish between two functional areas: the public area, which is open, visible and accessible, and the private area, reserved for employees and the Chamber’s authorities. This clear division optimizes traffic flow and guarantees confidentiality where necessary, while maintaining visual connections.
By densifying and opening up the rear of the building, we are restoring the historic façade on the Place du Châtelet to its former nobility, clarity and radiance.
This public/private articulation also serves to highlight the role of the notary in society: at the interface between private and public space, between professional secrecy and service to all.
The building thus becomes the spatial mirror of this particular position, which is both discreet and fundamental.
A building with multiple, orderly uses
Like a large house where each room has its own function, the Maison des Notaires et du Notariat brings together a variety of spaces that meet the new needs of the profession. The programmes envisaged today coexist with the possibility of future uses. Designed as a flexible machine, the building offers open, adaptable spaces that can evolve over time. This flexibility allows the Chamber to take ownership of the space, make it its own, and adapt it to changes in the profession.
The Maison des Notaires is becoming a catalyst for notarial initiatives: meetings between international colleagues, training in digital tools, debates open to the public on the development of territories... All these functions find their place in a building designed to welcome, transmit and share.
The transformation of the existing building also aims to increase its capacity by intelligently superimposing programmes. The simultaneity of uses allows for optimal use of every square metre, giving the building a confident functional and institutional dynamism.
And this is also what makes it a living space: as the public passes through, they perceive the Chamber in action, between confidentiality and transparency, heritage and innovation.
The behind-the-scenes work of the notarial profession becomes visible, affirming the profession’s roots in contemporary issues.
Opening up the ground floor
Visible from the street, the small spaces on the ground floor have been completely redesigned. Certain mezzanine areas have been removed to create large double-height spaces. These areas have been transformed into spaces of life, encounter and exhibition, reflecting the symbolic role played by the Chamber of Notaries within the city. Our primary goal was to make this address a destination in its own right, opening onto Place du Châtelet.
To achieve this goal opening up to public space as a symbol of renewal and improving the quality of the entrance hall have been the main strategies.
Utilizing the site’s resources
Reusing the stone
The project opts for on-site reuse as an act of creation, working with mineral resources sourced directly from the building. The stones removed — carefully extracted by hand using diamond saws — are not simply preserved: they are transformed, reinterpreted and repurposed in line with a logic of material economy and constructive intelligence.
The courtyard
a strategic space for notaries
The evolution of the courtyard façade bears the mark of the renewal of the Chamber of Notaries. Once hidden from view, it has now become a place of transparency, highlighting the collective organization of notarial work. Visible from the grand staircase used by visitors, the courtyard has become a stage at the very heart of the building.
The monumental staircase, located at the heart of the building, structures the relationship between the ‘hôtel’ and ‘machine’ sections. With its large arched windows, it offers deep perspectives on the rear of the building, like a Haussmannian courtyard where the view opposite reveals — without imposing — what is happening on the other side.
The gaze circulates freely, without crossing the threshold.
The logic behind the project is to reveal confidentiality without abolishing it: to make activity and collaboration visible, without exposing what must remain protected. The building does not close itself off, it filters.
Enhancing working conditions
The existing partitioning in the machine room, inherited from successive renovations, does not provide employees with working conditions that meet current requirements. The offices suffer from a lack of light, with openings that are too small and poorly positioned.
However, the Chamber of Notaries has chosen to devote this space to its administrative functions. The project transforms these spaces into open, bright and rational areas, capable of accommodating offices and meeting rooms in optimal conditions of comfort and flexibility.
Construction of the curtain wall
The outer courtyard becomes a new iconic space in the building, breathing new life into an area historically treated as a service space. To emphasise the unique character of this Parisian location, the façades are designed using a repeating curved glazing module, avoiding a faceted effect while keeping the project within budget. The original geometry is preserved: the horizontal levels are emphasized by clamping caps, while the verticals are expressed through the modularity of the curved panels, forming a completely transparent surface.
At the junction between the existing stonework and the glass façade, an anodized aluminium cavity joint has been installed. It complements the fine detailing and accommodates convenient opening mechanisms, ensuring natural ventilation of the workspaces without altering the continuity of the façade.
Reinvesting in a symbolic location
Restoring the building’s clarity and improving its performance
The first floor, an iconic auction venue, is the best known to the public. It has become a major focus of the project. We have two objectives: to increase its capacity and to enable it to host a wide variety of events.
To achieve this ambition, a high-performance acoustic movable wall allows the spaces to be divided or enlarged as required. The Auction Room, Gnomon Room and Antichamber can thus function independently or in continuity, depending on the scenario.
The renovation also focused on removing visible technical equipment. All HVAC and electrical systems are now integrated into the raised floor, giving the walls a new-found clarity and a more understated look.
The walls have been clad with new metal panelling where the original décor had been damaged or irreparably altered. This panelling echoes the historic mouldings and rhythms in a contemporary style, combining performance, comfort and continuity with the spirit of the place.
Conference room at level 4
Symbolic location of the notarial profession
The modernisation of technical equipment will free up windows from any bulky elements (fan coil units, casings) and restore the full view of the décor, which is currently partially obscured.
Thermal and acoustic comfort will be ensured by integrated, discreet and reversible systems.
Custom-made furniture completes the layout: contemporary seating chosen to match the room’s colour scheme, tables and mobile elements designed to combine elegance, modularity and practicality.
The attic and the presidency
The entire floor is now accessible to external visitors, allowing for large meetings,
multidiscipline exchanges, and major institutional events to be held there. New
meeting rooms have been fitted out, offering more space, better lighting, and better suited to contemporary requirements. These spaces are designed to offer comfort, confidentiality, and flexibility.
CREDITS
Architects:
L’Atelier Senzu (Representative)
Lagneau Architectes (Heritage)
Team:
TECCO, structure
INEX, fluids
Franck Boutté Consultants, environment
Mazet & Associés, economist
VS-a, façade
Anna Saint Pierre, reuse designer
CLARITY, acoustics
