Renowned architect Charles Zana, who designs exceptional spaces around the world, recently opened the doors of his Paris apartment to showcase his aesthetic philosophy. The Tunis-born designer, known for creating extraordinary venues globally, gave an intimate glimpse into his Saint-Germain-des-Prés home on the occasion of Art Basel Paris.
Zana's apartment reflects his signature approach to design – a masterful blend of styles and eras that transcends time. Among the notable pieces in his collection are works by American painter David Salle and ceramic pieces by Italian architect Ettore Sottsass, whom Zana particularly admires. The space features his own furniture creations, including the Franck armchair, which he designed drawing inspiration from small 18th-century fireside chairs.
The architect's personal style mirrors his creative philosophy. "What defines my style are my glasses from Maison Bonnet," Zana explains. "My clothing style reflects my creations: quality pieces that transcend eras." He recently had a custom suit tailored at Charvet, appreciating the virtuosic craftsmanship that takes hours upon hours. "I love clothes that stand the test of time," he emphasizes.
Zana is never without his toolkit containing multiple copies of his favorite mechanical pencil. "It reassures me – I want to be able to sketch my ideas at any moment," he says. His professional mantra reflects this openness to inspiration: "Never ask for directions, you might risk not getting lost. It's by leaving space for the unexpected that I discover new things every day."
His latest challenge involved organizing his third exhibition, "In Situ," in a former apartment on Rue de Rivoli. This event was more intimate than his previous exhibitions "Ithaque" and "Iter," which took place at Hôtel de Guise and Hôtel de la Marine respectively. The challenge was to make the furniture he presents resonate with works that tell the story of the universe guiding his work, including a series of absolutely captivating erotic photographs by Carlo Mollino.
The architect maintains daily routines that fuel his creativity. He enjoys taking his coffee at Café de Flore at dawn when tourists are still sleeping. "It's on the path I take to get to the office, and I've never lost my taste for this suspended morning moment," he notes. He actively collects ceramic works by Ettore Sottsass, particularly those from the 1960s.
Timelessness remains Zana's central obsession – a fundamental principle of his architectural work based on redefining contemporary classics. Like his Franck armchair inspired by 18th-century fireside chairs, his furniture draws from the "already seen" to resonate with all types of places, from Venetian palaces to New York lofts. "My work fits into a continuous historical cycle. I seek evolution rather than revolution," he explains.
Among his inspirations, Zana cites Bruce Springsteen as a personality he admires, calling himself a fan. The most beautiful object passed down to him is his father's pencil box – his father was a bridge and road designer in Tunisia before moving to France. "He gave it to me for my first year at the Fine Arts school, an immense proof of confidence! It accompanied me throughout my studies."
Professionally, the best advice he received was simple yet fundamental: "Being on time is the minimum of professional life hygiene." His recent musical discovery has been the French band Feu! Chatterton in concert, which he describes as "true French rock." When giving gifts, he favors copies of "Cahiers d'Art," purchased from the legendary gallery founded in 1926 in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
For dining, Zana frequents Sugaar, a mystical multi-story restaurant that exudes an almost private club atmosphere, and for lunch, he unhesitatingly chooses Yen. His perfect weekend destination is Hydra, Greece – close to Athens yet timeless, a car-free place whose history intertwines with the artists and musicians who contribute to its magic.
Selfishness is a flaw Zana cannot forgive, while generosity is a quality he cherishes, being very attached to the values his parents transmitted to him. A place that continues to make him dream is La Colombe d'Or in Saint-Paul-de-Vence. His bedside reading is "Un étranger nommé Picasso" by Annie Cohen-Solal, which he describes as perfect "to browse through to learn more about this timeless artist who inspires me greatly."
One of his most memorable encounters was with Andrea Branzi, an architect whose work he admired and with whom he eventually became friends. "Having known such a figure in 20th-century architecture is an immense privilege," Zana reflects. He treasures family lunch traditions with his wife and children.
His latest artistic discovery was actually "a leap through time" – rediscovering Eugène Carrière during Art Basel Paris. "The modernity of his work fascinated me," he says, noting that Carrière's works can be found in his "In Situ" exhibition. Adrien Maeght also greatly inspires his current projects as "the great inventor of the contemporary foundation concept."
Architecturally, the Abatellis Palace in Palermo, designed by Carlo Scarpa, serves as a major source of inspiration. "A complete masterpiece and one of the rare realizations by this architect. Here, the conjunction of his work and the city's baroque style makes it a museum with emblematic architecture," Zana explains.
His perfect Sunday involves a sporting morning, family lunch, and an evening at Voltaire with his wife. His latest pride is the Bustamante Foundation in Arles, built in a former Roman church, which he oversaw. The foundation will welcome its first visitors next summer.
Looking toward future dreams, Zana would love to design the French Embassy in Tokyo. "Creating a building that embodies French culture while respecting Japanese style would be a fascinating architectural encounter," he envisions, acknowledging the utopian nature of such a project.
On a personal note, his kitchen always contains cashews and almond milk for his coffee. In another life, he would have loved to be an adventurer, discovering unknown places without material attachments, living far from built and existing structures. The "In Situ" exhibition by Charles Zana runs until October 26 at 242 Rue de Rivoli, Paris.
