Two ateliers, one shared history
For the National Architecture Days (Journées Nationales de l'Architecture), L'AiR Arts explores the artist’s studio through the lens of architecture—specifically that of restoration, or how to build the future from a shared heritage. This theme centers on the sculptors Oscar Miestchaninoff and Jacques Lipchitz, whose path directly connects Atelier 11 Cité Falguière in Montparnasse with their shared house-atelier in Boulogne-Billancourt.
October 16 & 17, 2026
3 pm - 7 pm
October 15: School visits by appointment
Atelier 11 Cité Falguière, 75015 Paris
October 16 & 17, 2026
3 pm - 7 pm
October 15: School visits by appointment
Atelier 11 Cité Falguière, 75015 Paris
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The Cité Falguière studio complex, including Atelier 11, was built in 1875 on the initiative of sculptor Jules-Ernest Bouillot. As an assistant of Alexandre Falguière, Bouillot wanted to construct low-rent workshops for impoverished artists. Built by artists, for artists on the site of a former brickworks, most of these spaces were designed specifically for sculptural production.
Over the decades, artists from across the world gravitated to Cité Falguière, including Amedeo Modigliani, Chaïm Soutine, and Tsuguharu Foujita. Among them was Oscar Miestchaninoff, who lived and worked there from 1912 to 1923. While rustic, modest, and full of charm, the space was nearly in ruins—a vivid reflection of the precarious lives led by many early 20th-century artists. |
Atelier 11 © Association Cité Falguière
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Living in such fragile conditions may well have inspired Miestchaninoff years later to seek a radically different studio environment: spacious, brand new, and resolutely modern. After connecting within the artistic community at Montparnasse, Miestchaninoff and Lipchitz joined forces in 1923 to build their own studios—this time in Boulogne-Billancourt. Having met Le Corbusier at an art auction two years earlier, they commissioned the architect to design two adjoining house-studios at the corner of Allée des Pins and Rue des Arts, carrying forward the collaborative spirit of Cité Falguière.
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Le Corbusier's design provided generous, airy creative spaces. Situated on the ground floor to facilitate handling heavy sculptures, each studio features double-height ceilings and large north-facing glass windows for consistent light throughout the day. The upper-floor living quarters are built around the studio volumes, mirroring the layout of Cité Falguière. These modest family living quarters are complemented by a rooftop terrace overlooking a shared garden.
Miestchaninoff’s house, the larger of the two, stands out with its rounded staircase turret. Embodying the principles of purist architecture, the complex was designated a Historic Monument in 1975. |
Maisons-ateliers Lipchitz-Miestchaninoff © FLC/ADAGP
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In alignment with this year’s National Architecture Days theme, "Adaptive Reuse: Building the Future" ("Réhabiliter : bâtir l’avenir"), the Atelier 11 renovation project will allow for the continuation of the artistic legacy of Cité Falguière, whose uninterrupted 150-year history makes it one of the world's oldest active artist studios.
Designed by a transatlantic team of architects in close consultation with artists, the Atelier 11 rehabilitation project highlights original architectural elements, including the iconic façade composition, double-height space with a mezzanine, and exposed timber roof trusses. The interior redesign optimizes functionality to allow multiple artists to live and work in the studio. Additionally, the project integrates ambitious new insulation and heating systems to meet contemporary environmental standards—creating a space that, much like the Lipchitz-Miestchaninoff house-atelier is built to evolve with its time.
The visit contrasts these two artist studios, set a century apart and a few kilometers from each other: Atelier 11, a remnant of a bohemian, precarious era in Montparnasse, and the Boulogne house-studio, a manifesto of modernism designed by one of the 20th century's greatest architects. Between them lie the evolving needs of working artists, raising an essential question: How can we adapt a creative space for the future without stripping away its soul? For Atelier 11, the answer is a thoughtful, vital restoration—implementing urgent modernizations to protect the structure while reverently preserving its living heritage.
Designed by a transatlantic team of architects in close consultation with artists, the Atelier 11 rehabilitation project highlights original architectural elements, including the iconic façade composition, double-height space with a mezzanine, and exposed timber roof trusses. The interior redesign optimizes functionality to allow multiple artists to live and work in the studio. Additionally, the project integrates ambitious new insulation and heating systems to meet contemporary environmental standards—creating a space that, much like the Lipchitz-Miestchaninoff house-atelier is built to evolve with its time.
The visit contrasts these two artist studios, set a century apart and a few kilometers from each other: Atelier 11, a remnant of a bohemian, precarious era in Montparnasse, and the Boulogne house-studio, a manifesto of modernism designed by one of the 20th century's greatest architects. Between them lie the evolving needs of working artists, raising an essential question: How can we adapt a creative space for the future without stripping away its soul? For Atelier 11, the answer is a thoughtful, vital restoration—implementing urgent modernizations to protect the structure while reverently preserving its living heritage.
The event is organized in collaboration with the Musée des Années 30 and the Fondation Le Corbusier.
Portrait de Lipchitz par Modigliani, 1916
© Art Institute of Chicago |
Portrait de Miestchaninoff par Soutine, 1923 - 1924
© Centre Pompidou, MNAM-CCI/Philippe Migeat/Dist. GrandPalaisRmn |
Continuing an Artistic Legacy
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During the visit, you will also have an opportunity to discover the work of Vanessa Brown, currently in residence at Atelier 11 with L’AiR Arts, the association preserving Cité Falguière's artistic legacy. Vanessa Brown works in sculpture, video, and installation. Her practice involves transmitting her subjective experiences through specific materials, particularly those with rich histories such as metal and glass, that offer a hands-on relationship to craft. Informed by research, Brown creates work that reconsiders historical uses of these materials to create new unanticipated affiliations, thereby pushing the boundaries of their traditional uses. |
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Join us in building the future of Atelier 11 We invite you to support the preservation of this architectural heritage and help us adapt the historic artist’s studio to today’s environmental and artistic realities. |
L’AiR Arts takes pride in the diverse origins of our residents and the variety of perspectives they bring to Atelier 11. While we do not take responsibility for the personal opinions expressed by participants, we remain dedicated to an inclusive environment where all hosts, residents, and guests are treated with respect.
