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A heritage‑specialist architect has deep expertise in historic buildings — their construction techniques, original materials, history and particular weaknesses. Since 2015 we have worked mainly on 17th– to 20th‑century buildings in Versailles, Paris and elsewhere in France. Our mission is to safeguard this built heritage for generations to come.

A conservation specialist understands which materials suit historic buildings (lime, plaster, timber), can liaise effectively with the Architectes des Bâtiments de France, and can identify the pathologies affecting an historic property. This is more than aesthetics: renovating an old building with the wrong materials can accelerate deterioration, reduce its market value, and substantially raise the cost of future repairs.

Restoration means returning a building to its original state — using the original materials, techniques and construction details so the building regains its historical coherence. Renovation means renewing the building to improve comfort and performance. Our studio brings the two together: we achieve high energy performance (RGE) and contemporary comfort while preserving the soul of the historic fabric.

An architect is required for projects exceeding 150 m² of floor area and for any building listed or classified as a historic monument. In other cases it is still strongly recommended: the architect ensures the project's coherence, selects the right craftsmen and guarantees the quality of the work.

In France the title 'architect' is regulated and protected by the State. Three main qualifications permit professional practice. The DPLG (Diplômé Par Le Gouvernement) was the former state diploma, awarded until 2007 by the Écoles Nationales Supérieures d'Architecture after a six‑year course. Since 2007 the DE (Diplôme d'État d'architecte), together with the HMONP (Habilitation à la Maîtrise d'Œuvre en Nom Propre), has replaced the DPLG in public schools. The DESA (Diplôme de l'École Spéciale d'Architecture) is granted by the ESA, a private school founded in 1865 and the oldest modern architecture school in France. Recognised by the State since 1934, the DESA is equivalent to the state diploma and allows registration with the Ordre des Architectes. Registration with the Ordre ensures adherence to professional ethics and that the architect holds professional civil‑liability insurance.

Antoine de Gironde holds a double qualification — a DESA from Paris and an architecture degree from Universidad de Belgrano, Buenos Aires. He is registered with the French Order of Architects (registration no. 084305) and holds RGE certification. Antoine has been practising since 2015. In 2023 the practice was awarded the City of Versailles’ Façade Prize for the quality of a restoration carried out within a protected heritage area.

Depending on the scope and complexity of the project, we coordinate a network of specialists — structural, MEP and thermal engineering firms, building control authorities, health & safety coordinators (SPS), surveyors and heritage historians. These complementary services are integrated at the design stage rather than tacked on later. This collaborative model is standard in architectural practices: it lets us assemble the precise expertise each job needs while keeping responsibility clear. The architect remains the client's single point of contact and coordinates all consultants and contractors.