LevenDesign Agency – Artistic Collaboration & Ceramic Identity at Hôtel de l’Arbois (now Mercure)

LevenDesign Agency – Artistic Collaboration & Ceramic Identity at Hôtel de l’Arbois (now Mercure)

As the founder of LevenDesign, I had the opportunity to work on the full renovation of Hôtel de l’Arbois, a 3-star hotel that became a 4-star Mercure. I designed both the interior architecture of the hotel and its restaurant, creating a space where art, design, and hospitality come together in a refined, expressive language.

Wishing to root the project in a strong artistic and local identity, I initiated a collaboration with the renowned Atelier Buffile, a historic ceramic studio in Aix-en-Provence known for its generational craftsmanship. Together, we created a ceramic reinterpretation of the Mercure logo, envisioned as a burst of fragments, inspired by the mineral shapes and fractured silhouettes of Montagne Sainte-Victoire.

Throughout the hotel, large hand-crafted ceramic plates punctuate the built-in cabinetry and reception areas, acting as artistic landmarks. Their graphic lines recall the expressive gesture of artists like Roger Pradon, and the sun-drenched, tactile aesthetics of Vallauris ceramics, a style I hold dear.

I’m passionate about collaborating with artists and artisans in my interior architecture projects. These exchanges allow me to compose spaces that tell stories, where every object or surface becomes a medium for expression — a bridge between contemporary design and artistic heritage.

This project is a clear reflection of that philosophy: creating singular, elevated interiors that celebrate art, craftsmanship, and emotion.