Founded in 2004 in Paris by architect Luis Laplace and his partner Christophe Comoy, Laplace is an award-winning firm which has become synonymous with contemporary architectural design and has produced acclaimed projects for clients in the public and private sectors across the cultural space. Architectural projects by Laplace illustrate a unique approach to unite works of art in a living context, deploying contemporary simplicity with timeless design. At the heart of every project is the architectural goal to combine aesthetic and functional spaces that are enhanced by artworks, revealing unexpected nuances, new interpretations and readings, while nurturing a more in-depth engagement with the pieces.
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Style Notes
Draw or sketch?
Draw when I have time, it usually happens on weekends, and sketch for most of the time … but I enjoy both for their different qualities …
Discuss or scream?
Scream? That was back in my Buenos Aires days. Since moving to New York and Paris, I’m working more on sarcasm. Can’t take the Latin roots out of me yet—but I’m also getting really good at the passive-aggressive thing!
What is your first rule of personal style?
Sadly, comfortable …
Who is your style icon?
My style icons aren’t famous—they’re the people who are real, who carry an honest look, and who feel comfortable with their choice. Back in the '90s, the first time I ever spent real money on an outfit was in my late 20s when I got invited to what I thought was a terribly fancy party. I splurged my entire salary on a pair of black Gucci trousers and a white Dior shirt, convinced I’d look smart. At the party, an older man walked up to me and asked for a gin and tonic. I was so shocked that he couldn’t tell the difference between my expensive outfit and the waiters’!
The following week, I was invited to another one of these parties, but I couldn’t afford a new outfit. So I wore an Indian scarf wrapped like a turban on my head. The next day, I made it onto the local Majorcan gossip page: “Who is the exotic foreigner on the island? I quickly learned it wasn’t about the fancy clothes—it was about how I wore them!
What’s your favourite place to eat and the dish you always order there?
The Kronenhalle in Zurich, for their schnitzel! It takes me back to my mother’s Milanese … but with Giacometti in the room.
What’s your favourite bar and your drink of choice?
I like any classic bar where the bartender is the real deal and knows his drinks and not an obnoxious cool guy trying reinvent a classics …
Where would be your ultimate place to sleep?
My own bed, when the strong rain crashes on the Parisian roofs and makes that specific zinc noise. I feel at home.
What’s your favourite gallery or museum and the artwork that most inspires you?
Palazzo Abatellis in Palermo by Scarpa is my Mecca, it inspires me on every visit and I always see something new.
What period of architecture seems most relevant today?
The architectural period that seems most relevant to me today is the first half of the 20th century, when the focus shifted from the grand religious structures like the Renaissance and state buildings to individual homes. This era prioritized designing residences that catered to personal lives. Today, the emphasis has shifted once again, with architecture increasingly centered around art and institutional spaces.
