Hannah Levesque

Les beaux jours

Scale model maker

©Marion Saupin

©Hannah Levesque

A shiver of emotion in every little house

Hannah makes intricate small-scale models of buildings from paper
Her work sits at the crossroads of architecture, design and paper sculpting
The evocative details in her pieces are inspired by the Mediterranean way of life

Hannah Levesque has always been fascinated by details and atmospheres. Passionate about architecture and paper craftsmanship, she discovered the world of scale models early on during her spatial design studies at ESAAT in Roubaix, France). Determined to make it her profession, she refined her skills as a self-taught artist and founded her workshop in 2019. With patience and precision, Hannah cuts, folds and assembles paper to bring buildings, memories, and concepts to life. Each piece is sculpted by hand, using techniques she developed while overcoming creative challenges. Every project is a new quest: capturing the essence of a place, translating an atmosphere, or bringing back a memory. Blending craftsmanship and design, her work plays with light and shadow to reveal the hidden poetry of spaces and appeals to architects, collectors and lovers of unique objects.

Interview

©Marion Saupin

©Marion Saupin

Why did you choose to work with paper in particular?: Paper offers almost no limits to creativity, and combines finesse, lightness and an endless range of vibrant colours and textures like no other material. It allows me to replicate even the smallest details—a tablecloth’s delicate folds, a tiny flower in a garden, a coffee spoon, or a lemon slice on the rim of a glass.
What are your sources of inspiration?: Born in the south of France, I draw inspiration from sun-drenched landscapes filled with the song of cicadas—endless vineyards, hidden riverbanks, afternoon snacks under blooming cherry trees, tomatoes picked straight from the garden, and so on. The miniature landscapes I create are undoubtedly a tribute to the Mediterranean art of living.
What advice would you give to someone starting out as a paper sculptor?: What I wish someone had told me when I started my business: entrepreneurship is a challenge every day. It is a mental and physical confrontation with yourself. It demands constant dedication, without pause, because no one will take over or do things on your behalf.
Why do your models not include people?: I prefer using vibrant details to express the presence of people. When clients describe places to me, I take note of the objects they mention to define their relatives, I encourage them to tell me about the meal their aunt always prepares or the colour of the plates at their parents' house.

Hannah Levesque is a rising star: she began her career in 2019 and she started teaching in 2023