Earlier this year, I took a family trip to Paris, and it’s easily one of my favorite cities that I’ve visited in my adult life. The sights, the food, the walking — all of it was fantastic. But with every trip I take, I typically find one small detail to hyper-analyze. It was one of those things that, once you notice it, you can’t unsee it.

I’m talking about the corners of buildings. Not the inside ones. The outside ones. The ones that meet at intersections. But in Paris — especially in the older parts of the city — they don’t just meet. They gracefully arrive at the corner with a flat or sometimes even curved face that greets the street like it’s welcoming you inside.

Of course, I had to look it up, and I found out it’s called a pan coupé, which is French for “cut corner.” I’ve also seen it referred to as a chamfered corner. Here are some photos from my trip showing off this design.

You’ve seen this — maybe without realizing it. Imagine standing at a four-way intersection, and instead of four sharp points jabbing into the crossroads, you’ve got a mini-stage at each corner. These corners usually house cafés or shops, with tables spilling out into the scene, people-watching in full effect. That’s what really got me — these corners weren’t just attractive. They were alive. They were where the city breathed.

Now, of course, Paris and Raleigh aren’t on the same level. I realize that 100%. But I couldn’t help wondering if we had any examples of buildings that welcome people at the intersection. What does a modern building in a growing city look like with a chamfered corner?

Sure enough, a few of our buildings are borrowing that same design idea — flattened corners that open up to the street. And while it’s not exactly Boulevard Haussmann out here, it’s a welcome detail that adds just a little more to the corners of our city. Below are some examples I could think of in and around downtown. Take note, Raleigh.

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