Acne Studios expands in France with redesigned historic HQ

Acne Studios acquires a major new showcase in Paris. Following the opening of its Stockholm headquarters dedicated to design in 2019, the Swedish brand, known for its avant-garde creations, is relocating to Paris, into a beautiful turn-of-the-century townhouse that once housed a pharmaceutical laboratory. The space, tucked away at the end of a courtyard at 48 rue des Petites-Écuries in the 10th arrondissement, brings together all the label’s departments, including part of the women’s and accessories design studios, in a décor blending traces of the past with contemporary works of art.

The design project was conceived by Jonny Johansson, co-founder and artistic director of Acne Studios, in collaboration with the Swedish architecture and design firm Halleroed, which has been collaborating with the brand for over ten years. “The space retains the raw grandeur of the laboratory and mansion built in the 1930s, enriched by a selection of contemporary artworks and furniture from Jonny Johansson’s close circle of collaborators,” the house said in a statement.

The mansion was built in 1926 by the Prevet family, the original owners of Gomenol. The laboratory, which occupied the premises until the 1980s, was renowned for its production of tinctures and plant-based oils, particularly an essential oil extracted from niaouli, Goménol. The former laboratory now features a spacious showroom on the ground floor, complete with raw concrete columns, an original vaulted glass ceiling, and white-painted walls, as well as a fitting room for VIP customers.

The idea was to harmoniously integrate these historic elements into the new layout. As Jonny Johansson explains: “Our main objective was to respect the history of the place while infusing it with a fresh, modern energy. The building itself has an incredible architectural presence. It’s steeped in history, and you can feel that when you walk through its rooms. We didn’t want to erase this effect.”

“On the contrary, we wanted to create a kind of dialogue between past and present, guided by the original structure. It’s important to preserve these traces of the past, not only out of respect, but also because it shapes the atmosphere and energy of the building and creates a basis for the kind of creative work we do,” he continued.

The entrance to the building, which serves as a reception area, retains meticulously restored gilded moldings, friezes, woodwork, and parquet flooring. Similarly, the canteen on the mezzanine floor features its original tiled floor. It features large, light-wood communal tables, which can also be used for meetings or work sessions. It adjoins a kitchen and leads to a sunken outdoor garden. The offices and design studio are on the first floor.

The entire building, which will accommodate around 80 employees, is adorned with designer furniture, including the garden seating and showroom sofas designed by British designer Max Lamb, a long-time collaborator of Acne Studios. The same goes for lighting artist Benoît Lalloz, who created a bespoke light installation. In addition, the courtyard features works of art, including Daniel Silver’s marble sculpture and candelabras by Sylvie Macmillan.