French interior architect, designer, and scenographer Gaëlle Lauriot-Prévost opens the doors to her creative universe through a guided tour of the expansive Dominique Perrault Architecture offices. The 3,500-square-meter workspace, spread across three floors at 6 rue Bouvier in Paris's 11th arrondissement, serves as both a professional environment and a showcase for Lauriot-Prévost's distinctive design philosophy.
The studio space itself tells the story of Lauriot-Prévost's creative vision through her carefully placed installations and designs. Her signature metallic mesh work appears throughout the office, alongside striking tube lamps, large-scale luminaires, and architectural models that reflect her collaborative relationship with renowned architect Dominique Perrault. Even the courtyard bears her touch, where she has planted large pine trees that soften the industrial aesthetic of the architectural workspace.
In her upcoming monograph published by Dilecta, Lauriot-Prévost articulates her design philosophy with particular clarity. "Interior architecture is not a separate discipline, nor exactly an applied art," she writes. "It is a porous territory, crossed by architectural gestures, designer reflexes, sometimes by the lightning of an installation. It is, above all, a space of connections. Connection between void and matter, between flow and form, between gaze and use."
Her approach emphasizes listening over adding, as she explains in the monograph: "We speak of ambiance, fluidity, textures, but never renounce structure. It is less about adding than listening. Listening to the place, its geometry, its silences, its promises. Decoration, if it happens, only underlines the obvious, or disappears in perfect harmony."
This design philosophy is perhaps most famously exemplified in her work on chairs for the National Library of France (BnF), created in collaboration with publisher Martin Stoll in 2014. The project, which involved both new and old chair designs, demonstrates her attention to human-centered design. As noted in the project documentation, "The chair back was designed to accommodate all body types," reflecting her commitment to both functionality and inclusivity in design.
Lauriot-Prévost's influence extends beyond individual pieces to entire architectural environments, where her metallic mesh work has become a signature element. This technique, which she has refined over years of collaboration with Dominique Perrault, represents more than just a material choice – it embodies her philosophy of creating connections between different elements of interior space.
Several publications document the evolution of her work and her ongoing collaboration with Perrault. A two-volume set titled "Metallic Mesh: The History of a Weaving" by Lauriot-Prévost and Perrault is scheduled for publication by Gallimard in 2025. Additionally, her comprehensive monograph "Gaëlle Lauriot-Prévost: Interior Architecture" will be released by Dilecta in November 2025, providing deeper insight into her design methodology and completed projects.
The partnership between Lauriot-Prévost and Dominique Perrault represents a significant collaboration in contemporary French architecture and design. Their joint work has been documented in previous publications, including "Gaëlle Lauriot-Prévost Design, Dominique Perrault Architectures" by Michèle Champenois, published by Norma in 2016, and "The National Library of France - Dominique Perrault: Portrait of a Project (1988-1998)" directed by Frédéric Migayrou and published by HYX in 2018.
