Heju
Some encounters seem predestined, so perfectly do they resonate. The meeting of Hélène Pinaud and Julien Schwartzmann at the Strasbourg National School of Architecture is one such example. Graduates and valedictorians of their class, they founded Studio Heju in 2015. Since then, this inseparable duo has carved a unique path in the landscape of interior architecture, establishing a gentle yet rigorous aesthetic at the crossroads of Japanese minimalism and Scandinavian warmth. For Maison Carocim, inviting Studio Heju was not merely an aesthetic choice; it was a meeting of values: a shared appreciation for time, for materials that live, and for the emotion born of simplicity. Discover the vision of these architects of intimacy who re-enchant the everyday.
The essence of Heju style: between Japan and Scandinavia
Studio Heju's work is defined by a quest for balance. Hélène and Julien have created a signature style instantly recognizable, often described as "Japandi," a subtle blend of Nordic and Japanese influences. They work with clean lines and minimalist volumes to create timeless spaces, far removed from fleeting trends. Their minimalist interior design is never cold. On the contrary, it feels lived-in. It is based on a sensitive and spontaneous approach that allows them to optimize spaces, challenge established norms and traditional practices, and champion a return to emotion. In every project, whether it's a Parisian apartment or a boutique, Studio Heju strives to infuse poetry into its clients' everyday lives, transforming every corner into a moment of grace.
Material and color as an architectural language
For Studio Heju, architecture is more than just walls. The choice of materials, colors, and textures is central to their approach, creating atmospheres that appeal to all the senses. They favor natural, living materials that develop a patina over time, embracing wear as a mark of life, not a flaw. White is often the foundation of their work, a luminous and calming backdrop. But color is never absent: it is used with precision to create contrasts, emphasize perspective, or reinforce the essence of a form or architectural feature. This mastery of color and materials is what profoundly connects their approach to that of Carocim.
A global vision: art, design and architecture
Hélène and Julien believe in the continuity between art, design, and architecture. They don't compartmentalize the disciplines. They conceive all their projects by merging inspirations, whether they come from modernist painting, sculpture, or fine craftsmanship. It is this cross-disciplinary vision that has led them to collaborate with prestigious companies like Carocim. For them, designing a cement tile is creating architecture on a human scale. It's composing a module that, multiplied, becomes a space.
Heju x Carocim: The Primitive collection
From this encounter was born the "Primitive" collection. A range of cement tiles that translates the vocabulary of Studio Heju into the powdery texture of cement. Lines, arches, circles: the motifs reflect the duo's graphic obsessions, in a palette of muted and natural hues (Coconut, Smoke, Grass...). This collaboration is an invitation to bring Heju's sensitive and poetic world into your home, on both floor and wall.
