Set along the banks of the Seine and in constant dialogue with the city, SO/ Paris is a beacon of contemporary luxury. In this interview, we speak with Denis Montel, Artistic Director at RDAI, and Julia Capp, General Manager of the hotel, about the creative process behind a space that transforms brutalism into sensory elegance. Design, context, and emotion converge in this project that redefines the way we experience Paris.
The SO/ Paris Experience
Beyond aesthetics, what emotions did you want guests to feel when walking into the hotel for the first time?
SO/ asked us to create a hotel that would offer guests a truly Parisian experience—one rooted in the city’s landscape, warm in its welcome, and striking a balance between sophistication and playfulness. We envisioned the hotel as an invitation, a beginning, and hoped that every visitor would feel as though they were embarking on a journey. That journey would also be one of discovery—hence our focus on expressing the site’s context and exploring how we could translate the Seine into a sensory narrative.
The grand entrance pays tribute to the hotel’s riverside location, rich with details anchored in classical Parisian architecture. Every line and curve was deliberate, blending to create a space that feels both familiar and new. The main door, adorned with concentric rings reminiscent of ripples over still water, echoes the wrought ironwork found in historic Parisian buildings.
Upon entering the lobby, guests encounter a mineral aesthetic: a bold marble floor laid out in a peacock-feather pattern and a columned passage that evokes a futuristic temple—audacious and unprecedented. The amber-glass panels that line the lateral walls are arranged in irregular levels, recalling Haussmannian facades and visually extending the interior volume. Terrazo bases along these walls mark the historic flood level of the Seine, while the back wall comes alive with undulating topographic lines, alluding to the now-vanished Île Louviers, where the hotel stands today.
We selected furnishings that foster a relaxed, lounge-like atmosphere—comfortable for both socializing and solitude. SO/ requested a multifunctional space, so the furniture was designed to be movable, adaptable for events or installations. We opted for natural tones and materials that converse with the bronze-toned metal walls and terrazzo floors, punctuated by vivid textile accents.
The rooms, too, are part of that journey. We designed them so that the moment guests walk in, they’re greeted by extraordinary views of Paris—rare, sweeping perspectives of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
In a city like Paris, where the past and the avant-garde coexist, how did you find balance between local identity and a global perspective?
We approach every project as singular and pay close attention to the culture and specificities of the site. For the first SO/ hotel in France, we naturally immersed ourselves in the historical context of the location and the building, the beauty of the Seine, and the cultural richness of Paris itself.
As with any conversion project, we honored the history of the existing structure—originally the administrative prefecture building from 1955 designed by Albert Laprade—and integrated our vision into the architectural framework laid out by David Chipperfield, who oversaw the overall site development.
Surprisingly, the building’s existing layout, with a central core and a concrete lattice façade, was a perfect fit for a hotel floorplan. We designed 140 rooms and 22 suites spanning floors 7 through 14, all offering exceptional views over the city and the river.
On Design and Architecture
The hotel feels like a contemporary kaleidoscope. How did you build this visual narrative through space, light, and furniture?
The concept and core ideas of our project were established during the competition phase. It began with an exploration of the program and SO/’s brand identity, paired with a deep dive into the site: its history, architecture, surroundings, local community, and target audience.
To this rational approach, we added intuition. We worked primarily with noble materials that carry a strong sense of presence and naturality—especially stone and wood. Timeless by nature, they age beautifully over time. We played with contrasts between matte and reflective surfaces. The lobby walls are clad in amber glass; the floor is paved in terrazzo with marble inlays laid out in a distinctly Parisian motif. The corridors are monochromatic, finished in matte brown lacquer. In contrast, the rooms are luminous and warm, featuring a palette of wood, marble, glazed ceramic, and iridescent textiles.
These color palettes, inspired by the city’s energy, mimic the shifting hues of light: river blues, zinc rooftops, brick tones from local buildings, and the golden glow of Paris by night. A touch of nomadic spirit comes through in flexible, custom-designed furniture and mobile accessories—an understated elegance where the view takes center stage. Guests enter through corridors in rich cognac and coffee tones, then open the door to discover a framed cityscape beyond expansive windows.
The Codage spa extends the use of natural materials and color, with forest-green or terracotta mosaics, lacquered surfaces, and warm wood accents illuminated by lighting that evokes clouds.
The business center was designed to reflect SO/’s request for a playful, imaginative space. Completely modular, it can shift from intimate meeting rooms to open, expansive layouts. Its vivid color palette recalls the terracotta, blue, and yellow tones of the lobby and guestrooms.
O/ Paris stands as an architectural statement in the urban landscape. What led you to break from the city’s traditional aesthetic?
The hotel is part of David Chipperfield’s urban renewal project within Morland Mixité Capitale. The transformation of an existing office building into a hotel—reusing architectural infrastructure while preserving the façade—was central to the brief. This approach also reflects a step forward in sustainable design.
In creating the interiors, RDAI sought to integrate both the 1955 structure designed by Albert Laprade and the new architecture developed by Chipperfield for the wider site.
While the exterior exudes brutalist strength, the interiors feel weightless. How did you achieve this contrast?
We aimed to honor both the history of the former Prefecture building and Chipperfield’s architectural vision for the Morland Mixité site. Inspired by the Seine and the lost Île Louviers, our design draws from the site’s layered history. While the exterior carries the strength of mid-century brutalism, the interiors open into fluidity, softness, and light.
What roles did reflection, verticality, and location play in shaping the hotel’s spatial concept?
Engaging with the river’s presence, we incorporated the motif of circles and waves at every scale: from the concentric rings on the entrance door, to the tulip-shaped columns in the lobby, the hallway lighting and carpeting, to the wall sconces and mirrors in the guest bathrooms.
We also embraced mobility in the guest rooms through flexible furniture—tray tables, carts, sliding systems, and portable elements—adding a nomadic layer to the experience.
Each area—from the lobby to the spa and business center—was approached with a deep focus on detail and atmosphere.
Is there a hidden architectural gesture that could be considered RDAI’s secret signature?
We design with the end user in mind—creating a cultural and temporal dialogue through architecture. If one element could be seen as our signature, it’s the lobby: a space steeped in subtle references. The peacock-tail floor tiles evoke classic Parisian elegance; the amber lighting recalls the city’s twilight; and the terrazzo bases marking the Seine’s flood line connect past to present—all in conversation with Chipperfield’s contemporary colonnade.
Visit SO/ Paris and discover every detail for yourself.
Website: https://so-hotels.com/en/paris/
