Maison de Beauté Carita Paris: Where Acoustics Redefine User Experience

In this article, explore how our acoustic engineers orchestrated a tailor-made auditory journey for Maison de Beauté Carita Paris, effortlessly weaving the intentions of each space with the appropriate acoustic targets to create immersive experiences.

If you visit the eighth arrondissement of Paris today, particularly the rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, you will uncover the Parisian hub of excellence for the most professionally luxurious skincare treatments: Maison de Beauté Carita Paris.

After more than two years of construction, the inauguration of the new building was celebrated last September 2022. Four entire floors have been renovated to provide the ultimate care experience. To ensure this level of comfort, Delhom Acoustics had the honor of contributing its expertise to this ambitious project: the refurbishment of this legendary beauty destination in France.

“We aim to provide, in this Maison, a global beauty experience.”

Charles Finaz de Villaine, Director of Carita

The transmission of expertise

The Maison de Beauté Carita Paris is above all a story of passion and expertise. Founded in 1940 by sisters Maria and Rosy, it quickly gained recognition as one of the most sought-after destinations for Parisian high society, captivated by the talent of these two remarkable women. 

Throughout its history, Maison de Beauté Carita has successfully captivated a discerning clientele seeking a unique beauty experience in an elegant and refined environment. 

Commissioned by L’Oréal Luxe, this renovation project was undertaken in collaboration with HCI, serving as the project manager and architect, and the REV architectural firm.  

Delhom Acoustics was granted “carte blanche” to establish the acoustic criteria for each room, considering their sensitivities and design intentions. Our goal was to honor the Maison de Beauté Carita’s tradition of always delivering the best to its visitors. Consequently, the renewed Maison de Beauté Carita showcases exceptional architectural and acoustical fluidity. 

REV’s work has crafted a gentle and prestigious ambiance that perfectly embodies the enduring legacy left by the visionary sisters, Maria and Rosy, two modest and timeless women. With meticulous attention to architectural design, we celebrate a harmonious union between acoustics and aesthetics. 

The influence of acoustics design in every space

The Maison de Beauté is divided in 6 sections:

• The Gallery
• The Atrium
• The Restaurant Rosy & Maria
• The Hair Salon
• Treatment Rooms
• VIP Suite

The Gallery

To commence their journey, visitors follow an extension of the historic rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré into the interior of the mansion. Here, a pathway crafted from natural stone beckons them to embark on a holistic experience.

A succession of large, offset arches, inspired by the brand’s logo, blend with the scenery. In preserving the innate natural acoustics of this space, our acoustic consultants aimed to amplify the transformative sensation that visitors undergo when they enter Maison de Beauté Carita Paris. This shift takes them from a bustling street environment into a fully immersive and tranquil ambiance.

The Atrium

After passing through the gallery with its natural acoustics, visitors find themselves in the core of Carita’s new mansion—a thoughtfully designed inner courtyard. The architecture of this space, defined by gentle curves and varying heights, imparts a sense of grandeur to visitors, all while maintaining a serene and comfortable ambiance.

This acoustic achievement is the result of meticulous research aimed at mitigating the traditional “echoes” phenomena often encountered in expansive open areas. By using precise materials and architectural techniques, such as arches in the walls, the richness of the activities on offer in adjacent rooms can be glimpsed, while at the same time contributing to the overall acoustic serenity of the space.

The elevated glass roof and the gracefully curved staircases further elevate the impression of majesty. These architectural details make the Maison de Beauté Carita an uncluttered space, conducive to relaxation and discovery.

The Restaurant Rosy & Maria

Within this serene setting, a space of encounters and emotions awaits you. The restaurant Rosy and Maria offers unique gastronomic cuisine that promotes balance and well-being, while always offering healthy, seasonal and refined products, a contemporary and delightful journey for your taste buds.

Acoustic quality is ensured by appropriate sound masking. The banquettes and armchairs in the Lounge area are crafted from sound-absorbing materials,  while the flooring choice effectively limits noise levels. This careful attention to acoustics ensures a harmonious balance between privacy and audibility.

The discerning visitor will notice that the furniture design is inspired by the brand’s monogram, the symbol of the arch. This serves as a proof of Maison de Beauté’s unwavering dedication to even the minutest of details!

The Hair Salon

At the core of Maison de Beauté Carita lies its centerpiece, an 85 m² area featuring nine styling stations and a private salon spanning 28 m².

Particular attention has been paid to the placement of mirrors to create a unique atmosphere where each customer enjoys an experience as theatrical as it is professional. Acoustic comfort has also been carefully addressed, guaranteeing that customers can fully immerse themselves in this space of interaction and connection with complete serenity.

Beauty Suites

For customers seeking a haven of privacy, relaxation and comfort, the beauty suites at Maison de Beauté Carita provide custom-made treatments. These rooms are equipped with cutting-edge equipment, employing unique techniques and the exceptional products for which the establishment is renowned.

We’ve worked on reverberation to ensure audibility and reinforced protection against outside noise. Our primary goal is to ensure a profound sense of intimacy for clients during their treatment sessions. 

VIP Suite

Also known as l’Appartement de Beauté, Carita’s flagship offers customers a luxury suite overlooking the skyline of Paris.

It includes a lounge, dining room, hairdressing suite and double treatment suite. The apartment features enhanced acoustic protection, shielding it from external noise disturbances. Additionally, the use of high-quality furnishings preserves the natural soundscape of the surroundings.

Acoustics to enhance the costumer experience

To achieve a sense of wonder, every detail must be considered, but the study of acoustics is not just one of the details, it is one of the fundamental pillars that guarantee the quality of an experience. 

Our client, L’Oréal, was thus able to get advice on the best way to achieve its acoustic goals and the feelings its customers are supposed to feel within each room of the Maison de Beauté Carita. This acoustic study was conducted by our acoustic engineers in perfect integration with respect for the design and the guarantee of an appropriate feeling of comfort. As shown in this video of the opening day! 

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to L’Oréal, the Maison de Beauté Carita, the HCI design company and the REV architectural studio, who have been wonderful working partners. We would also like to thank them for the confidence they placed in us by entrusting us with the acoustic design of this exceptional project.  

While customers are attracted by the beauty of the space, it’s the acoustic comfort that truly elevates their perception, transforming the place into a truly unique and memorable experience. 

If this project has captured your interest, don’t hesitate to discover other Delhom Acoustics projects, by taking a look at our references. 

All pictures © L’Oréal