Julien Sebban doesn't just design; he re-enchants. With Uchronia, his studio founded in 2019, he shakes up a contemporary design often confined to sobriety and right angles, injecting a dose of euphoria and sinuousness. A graduate of the prestigious Architectural Association (AA) in London, Sebban wasted no time in imposing his vision: that of a joyful, handcrafted, and resolutely free everyday life, where imagination takes precedence over rationality.
"Uchronia is a space where time no longer exists." “,” confides Sebban; a phrase that sums up the very essence of his approach. This term, borrowed from speculative fiction, evokes parallel worlds, dreamlike narratives – a manifesto that the studio transforms into tangible reality. With a team of eight architects and designers possessing complementary skills, Uchronia quickly distinguished itself through its audacity: combining exuberant forms and vibrant colors with unwavering artisanal rigor.
From its very first commissions, Uchronia made a splash, injecting new energy into sectors like retail and restaurants. From redesigned visual identities for Sonia Rykiel boutiques to the dreamlike décor of the Forest restaurant, nestled within the Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris, and the warm ambiance of the Japanese bistro Unagi, each project is a celebration, a gentle rebellion against standardization. The studio's dazzling display at Maison&Objet in January 2022 with the "Café Uchronia" made a lasting impression: a total immersion in waves of orange, psychedelic purples, and oversized flowers, transforming the booth into a vibrant, sculptural happening.
But Uchronia doesn't stop at grandiose installations; the studio also sculpts furniture. Its pieces, which became iconic in just a few months, bear names as evocative as their distinctive silhouettes: the coffee tables Cookie et peanut, the armchair SunnyEach creation is handcrafted in France by exceptional artisans, highlighting the studio's commitment to the art of fine craftsmanship. This dedication led to their being invited by Maison&Objet to share their 2025 vision of hospitality, echoing the year's theme, "Sur/Reality." Expect a truly inspiring space, a bubble of creativity ready to burst forth.
But it is perhaps in his latest creation that the soul of Uchronia is most intimately revealed: Julien Sebban's Parisian apartment, christened "Uchronia World." Just steps from his studio in the 18th arrondissement.e In this district, this place is not just a simple living space: it is a sensory laboratory, an inhabited manifesto. Here, every detail embodies the architect-designer's philosophy: a categorical rejection of clinical white in favor of bold, pictorial finishes created with Atelier Roma, an unconditional love of glossy materials and unexpected textures.
The living room ceiling, lacquered in a deep sky blue, interacts with the original beams adorned with Japanese silver leaf. A mosaic mirror wall diffracts the light like a kaleidoscope. The master bedroom is illuminated by a vibrant solar yellow, a nod to a neighboring facade, while the guest room blazes with an intense orange. Throughout, the furniture is custom-designed, the result of demanding collaborations with houses like Prelle and Verrier, or carefully sourced – a sinuous and spectacular dining table in onyx and resin, a side table shaped like a giant pompom embellished with passementerie, or Frank Lloyd Wright chairs unearthed at a flea market. Even the kitchen becomes a playground for exploration, combining a stainless steel island with a shimmering, scale-like resin wall, complemented by a bold backsplash from the Dutch studio Palet.
The apartment thus becomes a living showcase of the Uchronia philosophy: a world where living space is not merely a backdrop, but an immersive work of art, a playground where imagination reigns supreme. Julien Sebban doesn't just dream; he designs worlds that people want to live in.
Arianna Tonon
