Jean-Michel Wilmotte was in charge of restoring the splendor of the mythical Hotel Lutetia in Paris with its early-twentieth century architecture, an essential destination for artists, intellectuals and celebrities from all over the world. Constructed between 1910 and 1918, the Hotel Lutetia in Paris is a curious hybrid of the transition between Art Nouveau and Art Deco. The scalloped facade, magnificently stuccoed though made of concrete, has made it a landmark for over a century in the district of Saint Germain. Here it was built as a luxury residence for the best customers of the nearby department store Le Bon Marché.
In 2014 it closed its doors to start a major renovation project.
The Contract Division of Contardi was chosen to provide all the lighting.
The lighting fixtures in all rooms and suites were custom designed by Wilmotte & Associés Architects, with the aim of reviving the spirit of the original 1910 design, so as to improve and optimize the hotel’s functions.
The result is a combination of precious materials such as brass, marble and artistic glass, blended with the latest led technology and digital control systems.
Jean-Michel Wilmotte has always stood out as being an architect who fully grasped the conservation of artistic heritage. His portfolio features the renovation of the entire ground floor of the Louvre. Here, between the lounge, the library and the Orangerie, he created a patio by removing the ceiling of a room, in order to increase the natural light available and making the rooms even airier. Using the same logic, the bow windows of the Joséphine bar were restored. Here a large fresco with plant motifs was uncovered, dominated by the scenic ten-meter long glass counter with a bronze effect.
Collaborating with Poliform Contract on the design of the common parts, refined pieces and materials were chosen to harmonize with the splendors of a past reborn: the leather rope armchairs of the Salon Saint-Germain, the natural fibers and lacquered surfaces, the three-dimensional textured oak paneling with a fabric effect, and last but not least, the carbon fiber reception desks with bronze inserts.
The decor project was completed by two large radiant sculptures designed by Wilmotte and made by the historic Venetian glassworks Vistosi, which required careful work so as to stabilize the color of the glass. The entire building was discreetly adapted to conform to the most up-to-date technologies, including those involved in energy saving. The total number of rooms was reduced to 47 suites, all with Carrara marble bathrooms and CEA faucets that gave the name Lutetia to the bespoke stainless steel faucet design, in honor of the occasion.