Atelier d'Architecture
Antoine de Gironde
Inhabiting our heritage
↓
Our approach
Founded in 2015 and based in the heart of Versailles since 2020, the Atelier works on buildings dating from the 17th to the 20th century, in the protected area and in the surroundings of historic monuments. Restoring these buildings means understanding how they were built and making them fit for modern living without compromising the qualities that make them distinctive.
Understanding before acting
Every project begins with listening and analysis: researching the archives, carrying out detailed surveys and understanding the building’s successive transformations. Which architectural qualities should be brought to light? Which features have been altered and deserve restoration?
In Versailles, this assessment also takes account of the Plan de Sauvegarde et de Mise en Valeur (PSMV), the local heritage protection plan that sets out what may be preserved, reinstated or altered. Our technical and design decisions are grounded in this understanding, guided by the rules of good practice and shaped through ongoing dialogue with the Architectes des Bâtiments de France.
From structure to decoration: a holistic approach
Timber-frame repairs, restoration of decorative plasterwork, bespoke joinery and art metalwork: as architect and lead consultant, we oversee every project as a whole. This approach ensures a coherent result, from making the structure safe and restoring decorative features to discreetly integrating modern services. We select specialist craftspeople skilled in traditional techniques and oversee the works through to handover.
Authentic materials, enduring craftsmanship
Traditional plaster, lime, mineral pigments and locally sourced timber: we favour materials whose worth has been proven over centuries. They sit naturally alongside the existing fabric, endure over time and help regulate moisture. Restore rather than replace; preserve rather than transform: this is our approach to keeping heritage alive.
News
Antoine de Gironde Architectural Studio: 10 years serving Versailles' heritage and future
The Atelier d’Architecture Antoine de Gironde celebrates ten years of activity and passion!
New atelier in an 18th‑century building in Versailles
We are pleased to announce the official opening of our new agency
Replacement and restoration of the joinery of the Hôtel Rousseau in Versailles
Joinery replacement and restoration at Hôtel Rousseau, Versailles.
Studio
Founded in 2015 by Antoine de Gironde and based in Versailles, the Atelier supports private clients, co-ownerships and institutional clients with the restoration of built heritage, building maintenance, and renovation, extension and vertical-extension projects.
The Atelier works on buildings dating from the 17th to the 20th century in Versailles—including the protected area—as well as in Paris and the Île-de-France region. It provides full architectural services and maintains an ongoing dialogue with the French heritage architects (Architectes des Bâtiments de France).
Antoine de Gironde is an architect (D.E.S.A.), a graduate of the École Spéciale d’Architecture in Paris and the University of Belgrano in Buenos Aires. Before founding the Atelier, he worked with architects in Argentina and France. He is registered with the French Order of Architects under number 084305. The Atelier is RGE-certified.
Awards and distinctions:
2026 – Geste de Bronze, Le Geste d’Or
2025 – Grand Prix, Versailles Façade Restoration Awards
2023 – Versailles Façade Restoration Award
