Text description provided by the architects. The first home of a couple, Apartment 114S received a renovation project signed by the Brasília office BLOCO Arquitetos, founded by partners Daniel Mangabeira, Henrique Coutinho, and Matheus Seco. The residents’ goal was to transform the apartment into a gathering place for family and friends. With this premise, the three-bedroom property was completely remodeled, creating a large social area with only one suite for the couple. Located in Superquadra 114 in Asa Sul, Brasília, the apartment had its social area expanded, and the kitchen integrated into the living room.
The property had undergone a previous renovation that excessively compartmentalized the space. Therefore, the intervention carried out by BLOCO Arquitetos removed several walls to integrate most of the spaces, meeting the residents’ needs and revealing part of the original structure, such as the beams. The original wooden floor was removed, restored, and reinstalled. One of the most significant changes was the repositioning of the kitchen, now fully integrated into the dining and living room, with the inclusion of a side support space that features a wine cabinet. In this new layout, the appliances are partially exposed, while the refrigerator – the largest of them – was “hidden” from the living room view, positioned in the adjacent room, which also functions as a service area. In the layout, the first bedroom was annexed to the living room, while the second transformed into a TV room and office, with the possibility of closure by a steel and glass frame. The suite’s bathroom was also repositioned and directly connected to the ventilated facade through the building’s cobogós, where a garden was created. Designed to accommodate as many people as possible, the living area features two distinct environments that can be connected according to the residents’ needs. In addition to the integration of the space, notable elements include the freijó woodwork and the curation of the furniture.
Among the pieces are the Lia, Mole, and Paraty armchairs by Sérgio Rodrigues; the Zeca armchairs and Fina and Zanini chairs by Zanine Caldas; the Grampo coffee table by Fernando Mendes; and the Vitrola sideboard by Felipe Protti. The lighting design also underwent a simple intervention. In the social area, tracks and surface-mounted fixtures were used, as well as two Corda pendants by Guilherme Wentz above the dining table and lamps on the side tables. Additionally, a Dot wall sconce by Alessandra Mourão was included in the social bathroom. The rest of the lighting was embedded in the ceiling. The entire renovation project was inspired by the characteristics of Brazilian modern architecture, especially found in Brasília, present in the apartment. Therefore, the intervention emphasizes simplicity and structural ingenuity – common traits of Brasília architecture.
A room without an inhabitant. The term nLDK is widely used in the Japanese residential real estate market, where n stands for the number of bedrooms, L for the Living room, D for the Dining room and K for the Kitchen. For example, if a flat has two bedrooms, it would be described as a 2LDK. The description nLDK is very important for real estate market information, as people generally search for a room based on the number of n that is appropriate for their family size and income. For example, a couple with one child will often be looking for a floor plan with n≥2. The seller would then consider that at least 2LDK is necessary in an area where there are many families with children. This nLDK typology has emerged in the history of post-war housing supply, but its rigidity has been criticized in recent years.
Furthermore, there is a scheme known as “Purchase-Resale”, in which buyers buy these standardized houses, add value by refurbishing them and resell them again. This project was also a request for refurbishment for this scheme. In this case, the design cannot be based on the individuality of the inhabitants. On the other hand, it also needs to “stand out” in the market by differentiating itself from other rooms, rather than simply meeting a general need. The number of visits on property search websites is also important, hence it is necessary to follow the nLDK zoning. This is because people search for a property by replacing the n in nLDK with a number. In other words, it was necessary to find a format that would create a different state from the general space while protecting the ordinary floor plan.
First, the windowless Japanese-style room was removed from the original three-bedroom layout, and the LDK was expanded into an oval shape. The entrance is widened, and the corridor is narrowed towards the LDK to create the illusion that the space is larger than it is. In the LDK, characters such as the white box-shaped kitchen, the wedge-shaped shelves that divide the space and the octagonal columns that hide the plumbing appear, giving identity to the space. Thus, a plan with visual intensity is created, as if a keystone has been pierced into the ellipse while keeping the format of 2LDK. The wedge-shaped shelf is an extended form of the corridor, and at the same time, it can be moved on castors. The inhabitants can move the shelves around to create their own appropriate elliptical divisions, responding to the contemporary use of the LDK, which has become a place for work, studio and other non-traditional activities.
This flat has a corridor, individual bedrooms and one LDK. What differentiates the generic layout is the interaction between the elliptical expanded space or the wedge-shaped corridor and the generic space. The entrance door opens into a space that is separated from the common areas of the building. The floor and walls are finished in red plywood, and doors on either side of the corridor open to reveal bright white private rooms; when entering the LDK, a mirror placed in the front reveals the entrance behind, while the elliptical wall guides the eye outwards. Paradoxically, the expanded interpretation of market principles = adherence to the nLDK format has created a new kind of nLDK.
Brief: The owners of this space are a family of four. The husband is a founder of a closed fund and the wife a PhD scholar ably assists him in his venture. The couple has two grown-up kids doing their advanced studies in foreign countries. The core requirement of this family was to have a clutter-free cozy space with emphasis given on functional planning and at the same time a breakaway aesthetic. Also due to their social nature/status, they wanted a space that was inclusive and could serve as a perfect entertainment pad.
Vision: As it stood, we had worked extensively with the couple previously due to which there was that comfort and mutual understanding from the get-go. Throughout the designing process, there was a certain trust that the clients had put in us as they had seen our work over the years and were familiar with the peculiar way we look at things related to interior design. Wanting to create that unique aesthetic experience we looked towards architecture for inspiration. After a few initial discussions, the idea of architectural vaults fascinated us. Thus we decided to use it as a primary element as a part of the ceiling and be consistent with its exploitation throughout the space lending it more authenticity. Along with that elements like gabion wall, solid glass bricks, and Ceppo De Gre stone shared this very architectural intent. On the other hand, we wanted to be pretty miserly and minimalistic with our material palate. This gave rise to a monochromatic space. So as a result we wished for, and worked towards a space that was niche, minimalistic, and social.
Apartment size + Way the structure was handled – This apartment is nestled in the central suburb of Mumbai, with a carpet area of 4300sft. Our scope was to design the apartment from the bare shell status to its completion. The bigger chunk of existing planning was maintained however changes were made to open up certain spaces of importance. The master walk-in wardrobe was increased in size along with bathroom space. This increase in area was accommodated in the adjoining bedroom which was converted into a study. In the living room space, an alcove was created to accommodate a decently sized fully serviced bar along with the main entrance lobby. This resultant increase in space spilled over into the kitchen prompting a complete replanning of it along with the servant quarters. Throughout the apartment, smaller shifts of walls and partitions were planned to increase the efficiency of the given space.
The carpet area of this large apartment is around 4300sft. As you enter the house, its rectangular layout features a large living space on your left. This is the mainstay of the house that connects to the personal rooms by means of a long hallway. Adjoining the living room is the main entrance to the apartment flanked by a bar and kitchen on the rear side of the same.
One of the extensions to the living room is the main entrance to the apartment along with a bar. These two secondary spaces are carefully designed in a way that they complement the central space. The entrance of the house is part of a large black scoop that extends to the bar and the kitchen. Any amenity/ element that is part of this negative space gets more attention than usual & feels like a floating mass.
Opposite the main entrance an entrance console is flanked by a vertical mass of frosted solid bricks. These solid bricks were an interesting choice of material because the glass and its frosted nature refracts the light in an intriguing manner and create this soft glow around it. This partition divides this black scoop into the entrance side and the bar side. A geometric wall installation sits by the side of this console.
The living room is a large cuboidal space. The extensions to this cuboid turn into a bar, entrance, and a large balcony. To control the scale of this cuboid the ceiling has been subdivided into quadrants and the vaulted ceiling cuts through these quadrants on the length side. Vaults are mainly an architectural element used in the construction of buildings throughout history. By utilizing these throughout the apartment, renders the intent more authentic and realistic. Projector screenings happen at one end of this space while a service unit for the dining sits on the other end of this cuboid. The wall cabinets have sandwiched metal mesh used for the sliding glass shutters.
The extended portion of living room seating faces towards the dining in an attempt to establish a dialogue between the two, with the intention of making dining a less isolated activity. This setup has more protentional to become a social space with guests spilling over towards dining, in accordance with the client’s requirements. Also, the Moon, a lighting pendant designed by Davide Groppi, being central to the space holds the entire space together. In fact the very sight of the Moon from the main entrance sets up the visitor with that bit of curiosity about the space.
The seating square of the living room has Ceppo De Gre marble across the floor. The dining & the rest of the area have light Gre Ceppo on the floors too. Ceppo De Gre is used widely in the facades of buildings in Europe but in contrast rarely used in India. The personality of the stone is rugged and of architectural nature. By specifying it for the floors and wall we wanted to give the house a bit of a masculine feel and also incorporate the uniqueness factor.
The material palate of living and the rest of the apartment has been rendered in Greyscale. To create interest in this scheme we encouraged the clients to use a lot of plant greens in the space. This infuses life into spaces.
The long hallway connects to the guest room first in the sequence. It’s a simple clean space with a headboard done in Cubo granite from RK marble. The vaults here are of narrower widths. One of the walls has a cutout cladded in the same Cubo stone housing the temple space. This cutout is covered by double-leaf sliding shutters to cover the temple.
Next in the line of hallway you come across study and son’s room. The study has a warm palate with the introduction of Oak veneer as Clients wanted a space that was cosy and bright. The study table is placed flanking the window and on either side of it, there is ample storage for books, a mini fridge and printer, etc. The study itself is a long slab of wood spanning from end to end without any intermittent supports. There is an L-shaped sofa close to the entrance for entertaining guests.
Opposite the study entrance sits Son’s bedroom space. The room has a comfortable space along with a study and an armchair for lounging. The mood of the room is cosy with a predominantly monochrome material palate. This grayscale is broken by the introduction of green color in the form of a study table and tapestry of the armchair. The headboard wall is made of unequal vertical slats of a rugged finished granite stone. The ceiling of each room comes in the form of a large trough that contains the vaults within them. This move detaches the ceiling from the wall.
Next in line is the master and Daughters bedroom at the end of the hallway. The master bedroom starts with its passage which leads first to the entrance of the walk-in wardrobe + toilet and then to the bedroom itself. The bedroom has a large four-postered bed along with Eames loungers on its side. The headboard wall is a combination of frosted glass bricks at the bottom and strips of grey veneer on the top. The glass bricks can be backlit lending the ambient light to the space. The vaults in the ceiling are up-lit by a long tensioned rope light between two ends of the ceiling. As mentioned earlier, a series of three sliding doors creates an interesting permutation combination of scenarios for the use of the room.
Daughters’ bedroom is a bit of breakaway WRT the material palate used in the house in general. The mood of the room is light and bright with the use of white for the shell predominantly. There’s a large soft padded bed in the center with the headboard wall cladded in a rugged finished granite. The study table is suspended between two verticals with no intermittent supports in between. The peripheral duct spaces are used for miscellaneous storage hidden by the large sliding door making them look like moving walls.
Key features – In continuation of the architectural theme, the bar was imagined as part of this huge black scoop that started at the main entrance of the house and stretched to the entrance to the kitchen. The materiality of this scoop was the black ceramic floor, black PU-coated walls, and ceiling. The bar itself was conceptualized as a part of the Gabion wall for its facia wall. This was made possible by trapping randomly sized stones in the metal wire meshes. In addition to that this arrangement can be backlit by a series of LED lights mounted on an acrylic partition supporting this very vertical mass of stones. Flanking this bar, opposite the main entrance, there is a partition of frosted glass bricks. This partition creates this interplay between the bar and the main entrance. The refractive quality of this glass lightens up this otherwise intense space.
Overall theme – As mentioned earlier the primary theme of the house was based on its architectural interpretation. So the idea of subdivided Vaults, Gabion walls, solid glass bricks, black scoop, Ceppo De Gre stone with rugged finishes, and Cementaceous lime plaster helped realize an expected outcome to the process.
Challenges – When designing an offbeat space there come a plethora of challenges on the way to deal with. The first of them was the construction of Vaults. Even though a representation of the original form this had to be dealt with creative solutions. Also, the integrated lighting within the vaults without disturbing their purity posed a challenge. The formation of vaults was achieved by creating an archival template to lend its shape. The integrated lighting was a result of a linear aluminum channel (that acted as a lighting track) which was supported by a wooden framework around the vaults themselves. Another challenge came to us in the form of planning. The original layout had 5 bedrooms. The client brief expected us to create 4 bedrooms along with a study. Carving out the study, its adjoining washroom and a large master bathroom along with a walk-in wardrobe in a singular space was tricky.. especially dealing with its services like HVAC, plumbing, etc.
In the master bedroom, the TV positioning overlapped with the window location. Also, two extended niches on either side of the window (which were used as a built-in study and an extended storage box) posed a challenge in terms of its end use and overall space formation of the bedroom. This issue was solved by having moving walls on sliding tracks. One of the moving walls had a TV traveling along with it. All of them together created a permutation-combination of various scenarios of use/utility depending on where you positioned them. The master bedroom has a long installation of solid glass bricks behind the four-poster bed. This translucent mass of bricks gets backlit. The installation wasn’t as much of a construction challenge as the upkeep of LED lights which backlit the wall due to its length. This was solved by creating sliding tracks which accommodated the linear LEDs in them which could allow us to pull them out seamlessly at the time of maintenance.
Design Philosophy – Our design philosophy has always been ‘call it for what it is. When we think of a space we think of it as a volume and not in fragments. It is very hard to call which part/aspect of the apartment signifies our signature style as we don’t work with a particular style. In most of the cases, we try to respond to the space and context if any. Working with a bigger idea and chopping it down to a micro level for consistency in design throughout the space satisfies our design philosophy.
Sustainability – Sustainability automatically becomes part of this apartment due to the architectural intent. Glass Bricks, Lime plaster, various stones, and granites, all are sustainable.
Text description provided by the architects. Newlywed life is a process of accepting a person who has walked a different life path into your own internal world. The encounter with different values is both refreshing and fleetingly lonely, much like moments of poignant sadness amidst a wonderful adventure. Architecture sometimes captures this fleeting poignancy of a once-in-a-lifetime encounter.
To always enjoy the ephemeral beauty of adventure, the theme was set as “an endless stay at the most prestigious hotel.” The design of our home began as a personal and transient record of incorporating the earthly beauty we experienced during our honeymoon in New Zealand and Australia into our living space.
The basic grid is an RC rigid frame made of units measuring 5.4m × 6.3m. The floors were removed for half a span up to the entrance, leaving only a floating approach corridor. The remaining 1.5 units are contained within the private quarters, and the balcony extending out from there by 1/4 of a unit (2.7m x 3.1m) is clearly designed for indoor use within the private quarters. This luxurious approach and balcony, located on opposite sides, were the main attractions of the existing space, fully functioning as devices to convert the bustling Tokyo environment into a rich living experience.
The entrance hall needed to dramatically and symbolically embrace the luxurious scale of the aforementioned approach. Hinting at the southern balcony from the entrance was seen as necessary to maximize the charm of the existing space. With the existing duct space clinging to the wall and the effective ceiling height under the large beam being around 1900 mm, a washbasin was placed under the beam, designed like a gate. This serves as a place to wash hands upon returning home, transitioning from urban space to living space, or checking one’s appearance before leaving, transitioning from living space to urban space. By spatially representing the act of switching between two spheres, we aimed to redefine the entrance hall as the “ON-OFF border.”
The kitchen and workspace were placed adjacent to each other, maintaining a dynamic relationship, and positioned along the wall connecting the balcony to the entrance. The beautiful water surface of Lake Erskine in New Zealand, a memorable spot from our travels, was represented by the usage of wet extruded tiles, allowing the rich sunlight entering from the balcony to reach the entrance gate. Tiles with a glaze made from rough chamotte soil mixed with various metal powders reflect light in different ways, creating a beautiful sequence as one walks through the house.
Architecture and interior design overlap yet cherish different values. This is the couple’s first place to live together and the first step in a joint project. The boundaries between their lifestyles, between on and off, and between the city and the living space were carefully woven together. “Boundary” is an important keyword for this plan, and this space has been named “Bounds” in the hope that the living environment will continue to evolve as their lifestyles change in the future.
Text description provided by the architects. This is a renovation of a room in an apartment complex built half a century ago. The seven-story building faces Katahira-cho Street in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, which was a feudal lord’s alley in the feudal era. The building is situated on a cliff with a difference in elevation where a river terrace directly meets the river, and offers a view of the unique landscape of Sendai formed by the Hirose River and Mount Aoba.
The existing floor plan is a 4K type consisting of a Japanese-style room and a Western-style room. The Japanese-style room on the south side is bright, while the bathrooms on the north side are dark, resulting in a strong contrast between light and dark. To maximize the view, we dismantled the walls dividing the rooms into east and west sections, and the natural light concentrated on the south side was dispersed to reveal a single room filled with dark shadows cast by the existing structure. This was due to the fact that the light, which had been emphasized by the original spatial contours such as finishes and fixtures, lost its clue when the contours were dismantled, and the diffusion of light was stopped. As in the East, where people have long ago found a sense of the subtle in the dark, this space, with its accumulated darkness, allows us to imagine what we cannot see in our daily lives and to listen to what we cannot hear. The idea was to live in the shadows that shake the contours of the existing structure.
During the day, the backlit view from the south and north windows appears as a borrowed landscape in the shadows, and only the scenery floats in the darkness. After sunset, the room is filled with darkness, and half of the room disappears with the shadows. The boundary wall disappears from view, giving the sensation of walking through an endless abyss. The shades of darkness change from moment to moment according to the time of day, creating depth in the everyday act. We call this place with semantic shadows “Shadows room”.
The client’s two major requests were to provide a spacious area that could be used with dirt floors and to compactly organize the living space, including the living room, bedroom, and water area. The living room, bedrooms, and bathrooms are arranged in a north-south direction so that the line segment tangent to the Shadows room is long. The existing wall separating the living room from the bathrooms was deliberately extended to the edge of the floor so that the residents would always step into the Shadows room in their daily activities. Shadows room, which is visited repeatedly, is not so much a room as a series of “openings” for access to other places, and it is also a “closing” where space is paused by shadows.
In light of the spatial configuration in which life unfolds from two contrasting places, the Shadows room, and the “living room,” I was reminded of the proximity to “Mugen (ghostly spirit) Noh”, where the story progresses through a dialogue between the two actors who play the roles of fiction and reality. “Mugen Noh”, the story begins when the Shite, a spiritual being, appears before the Waki, who is living in reality. If we view the Shite as the Shadows room and the waki as the living room, this room is the space between here and there, in other words, “Awai”（a room of in-between）. The floor, walls, and ceiling of the living room, which is positioned as the stage of life, are finished with hinoki plywood, and the room is paused at the boundary with the Shadows room. The wooden edges of the living room, paused by the shadows, are shown as a finishing touch by setting the spacing of the wood stud on the assumption that they will be shown. In other words, it is not an unintentionally exposed section, but a “paused surface” that is intentionally exposed.
The hinoki plywood finish is intended not only for practical reasons, such as durability and water resistance but also to allow natural light to illuminate the white wood surface, contrasting with the Shadows room. The floor height was set 20 cm higher than that of the Shadows room as a clear indication of the change of space, and the ceiling height was made as low as 1.9 m to the utmost limit.
This manipulation is intended to create a background of light floating in the darkness as if life itself is cut out like a “Kagami-ita(The board with the painted pine tree is called the “Kagami-ita” (mirror board), and it is one of the Noh stage props.)” when viewed from the Shadows room. By revealing the frame, which had been hidden from view, I maximized the volume of the space, while allowing light, wind, and action to pass through the shadows, creating a place that is both inside and outside. The operation to increase the air volume between the shadows is also an attempt to turn the characteristics of the “Mugen Noh” into the real space, where the absolute reality of the existing frame is the falsity in the renovation process. The shadows reflected in the space between here and there. We hope you will discover a new sense of comfort in the eeriness of the darkness.
Text description provided by the architects. Located within the 4th arrondissement of Paris, near the Place de Bastille, Paris Apartment is situated in the prominent baroque Hotel de Sagonne, designed by Jules Hardouin-Mansart in 1668 as his personal Parisian residence. Converted from a single residence into multiple apartments in the mid-20th century, the unit underwent a partial renovation in the 1970s, which significantly altered some of the original architectural details. The Hotel de Sagonne is protected under the highest level of heritage classification in Paris, and any alterations are meticulously reviewed to maintain its historic features.
The interior design of the apartment strikes a balance between restoring key architectural elements of historical significance and removing later additions, whilst adding modern amenities in a contemporary style. The original elements are preserved with respect, rather than mimicked. The client’s extensive collection of Australian and International art is showcased throughout the apartment, including digital pieces displayed on monitors set into the wall. European furniture complements the art collection, adding to the overall aesthetic of the space.
A white color scheme evokes a warm and soft atmosphere in most rooms, including the formal living space, which is accented with organic beige sofas and bold pastel artwork. The use of new timber floorboards unifies the apartment by eliminating clashing floor finishes and level changes from earlier periods.
Expressing a bold and contemporary statement, the kitchen is imbued in black timber and nero marquina marble. The concealed detailing and integrated appliances result in a geometric sculptural feel that emphasises a central and symmetrical niche. An informal dining area and framed artwork completes the space.
The formal dining space serves as the heart of the home, with the foyer, kitchen, and living room branching off from it. The salmon hue used in the space was drawn from the baroque grotesque forms framed in the moldings, accentuating the panels. Above the dining room table hangs a custom chandelier by Nathalie Ziegler Pasqua, which enhances the grandeur of the room and complements the overall aesthetic. By introducing a new wall between the formal dining and the master robe, a hidden bar clad in a magenta mirror complements the striking color of the room.
The study, painted charcoal with charcoal furnishings, provides a momentary pause in the transition between the formal living room and the master bedroom. The visual intimacy of the dark space, provides a level of privacy to the master bedroom and acts as an informal lounge area.
The expansive master bedroom situates the bed as a central monolithic element that divides the space. The master ensuite is elegantly designed with 3mm of white marble adhered to an aluminum honeycomb substrate, which allows for a robust yet light finish in an old building with limited supporting structure.
Paris Apartment is a respectful and complementing dialogue between the contemporary elements and faithfully restored heritage features throughout the home. By combining the past of Paris with the present of Parisian and Australian architecture, the space is a harmonious balance of history and modernity.
Text description provided by the architects. When we were commissioned to renovate a newly built condominium for sale, our challenge was to create a space that would make the most of the new and beautiful living environment that was currently fully habitable. During our visits to the site, we observed that while the location, security, and convenience were excellent, the furnishings and other items were a combination of mass-produced, ready-made items. This seemed to us to be a combination that could be considered luxurious, but perhaps not in the way that the client had in mind. We felt that this was where the answer lay this time.
After further discussions with the client, it was agreed that two elements would be considered as the axis of the space: the use of upcycled paint made from oyster shells throughout the space, and the introduction of greenery into the space.
In order to change the view unique to the condominium, boards were applied on top of the wooden frames of the existing sashes. The walls were uniformly finished with oyster shell paint, which has a delicate texture and is smaller than the smallest grain of ricin. The edges of the wall surfaces and the base of the existing wooden frames were softly and delicately coated so that the existing sashes and wooden frames were not visible from the outside. The common landscape of a series of ready-made sashes and wooden frames was transformed to create a more unified and harmonious space. The existing fixtures and fittings were then carefully removed from the wooden and stone grain prints while retaining their functionality. The grain of the lauan wood was selected and stained to match the delicacy of the shell paint, with the grain transparency being adjusted accordingly.
Rather than simply placing potted ornamental plants, we considered whether it might be possible to physically interact with the greenery in the corner environment of the upper floors. We placed the greenery on the boundary between the study and dining room, creating a soft organic partition between the two spaces and integrating the floor, pots, and dining room bench. We hope you will agree that the architectural device integrating the dining bench was finished using the same material as micro cement. By sculpturally forming the upper part of the dining bench into a trapezoidal shape as a bowl, the normal surface of the bowl becomes the backrest of the bench.
When you sit there, the leaves are above your head, as if you are resting on the trunk of a tree under the sunlight filtering through the leaves, surrounded by greenery that you can normally only experience. It is possible to experience a special moment of contact with greenery, which can normally only be experienced on the Grand Line, on the upper floors, which gives a sense of floating. In order to blend the greenery into the whole space, the lack of small beams in the ceiling frame, which has been dismantled and exposed, is connected with a mirrored surface so that the reflection of daily life is projected onto the inorganic concrete ceiling.
Text description provided by the architects. Now dividing his time between practice and teaching at the School of Architecture of Laval University in Quebec City, architect Jean Verville, appealed by the brutalist architecture punctuating the national capital with significant buildings, established his creative laboratory in a residential tower, designed in the 1970s by architect Marcel Bilodeau, and standing out as a monumental sculpture facing the Plains of Abraham Park. The rehabilitation of a compact 79m unit is deployed in an architectural experiment orchestrating a space with a graphic dimension. Like an observation post offering breathtaking views of the Laurentian Mountains, the urban landscape, and the St Lawrence River, the interior comes alive with an immutable body-to-body relationship between transparency and reflection, while transforming realities through distancing and multiplication.
First, a complete curettage is prescribed by a necessary upgrade. Thus, freed from all construction systems and obsolete equipment, the unit reveals a monolith of raw concrete, pierced with openings to the north and south. Taking advantage of the crossing typology, the mineral materiality, the natural luminosity, and the electromechanical systems essential to the functioning of the habitable space, an architectural device, formed of a serial composition of sliding glass walls, allows fluid reconfigurations while thwarting perceptions of size. The strategic positioning of domestic equipment maintains constant physical and visual permeability to neutralize the compactness of the unit.
The modular spatial organization system divides the volumetric entity by structuring mobile boundaries associated with the interchangeability of equipment in order to meet the requirements of organizational and functional adaptability while maintaining visual porosity. By addition or subtraction, this flexible system fragments the plan into 6 layout alternatives with undetermined functions, offering up to 7 distinct sub-spaces, while flexible blinds with a metallic finish allow the option of openwork borders, as well as total privacy.
The project is based on a reasoned use of materials and components with the aim of limiting resources, types of interventions, and costs. In order to reduce the carbon footprint relating to energy consumption for heating and air conditioning, the proposal uses the thermal inertia of the concrete shell, absorbing both the heat of the winter solar radiation and summer night coolness, and then redistributing them gently. While the transversality of the unit and the modular sliding wall system allow a multitude of combinations, they also promote natural ventilation optimizing comfort in summer.
Interacting with reflective, transparent, and metallic surfaces, the multiple reverberations of light create kinetic lighting animating the entire space with plays of light and shadow. Industrial elements, such as unloading dock lamps or commercial restaurant furniture, come together in an eclectic ensemble evoking the alchemist’s laboratory, transforming reality into fiction. Glass vials of all kinds, models and various explorations, utilitarian objects, and plants rub shoulders on the shelves, revisiting the spirit of the cabinet of curiosities in a playful presentation of everyday life.
Text description provided by the architects. Located in an old building from the 1970s, the apartment had an outdated layout that didn’t make sense for the residents: a closed kitchen, a maid’s room, and three bedrooms. Furthermore, the apartment’s more classic style, with dark wood floors and plaster ceiling, did not reflect their personalities.
The biggest challenge was to create a layout that met our needs and made the most of the existing structures. Gas and water points were preserved to reduce construction costs. Additionally, since the slab was stripped, the distribution of ceiling lighting points was also made difficult. The hall, kitchen, and one bedroom were opened up to the living room, creating a spacious and integrated space. A green tunnel marks the hall and the zoning of uses is done through the furniture. An island sofa delimits the living room and TV area, and the dining table divides the kitchen from the living room.
A brick wall extends through the dining room and living room, serving as a support for decorative objects. The bricks came from the demolition of a wall in Carolina’s brother’s apartment (a project that was happening simultaneously with hers). Since they came out intact, we put them in the car and used them in this project. And to give it a finishing touch, a wooden shelf made from the old apartment floor was placed on top of the wall.
The kitchen has a functional layout, with a large island for cooking and stools for quick meals. Appliances such as a refrigerator, stove, hood, electric oven, and microwave are hidden on the right side. The idea was for the kitchen to have a clean view from the living room, with only the cabinets visible. The kitchen gained color with the green quartzite del mare countertop, and white unfolds in various textures: natural wood veneer stained white on the cabinets and the back of the countertop covered in hydraulic tile. The cabinet handles were designed by us and made of laser-cut metal sheets with green electrostatic paint.
The refrigerator volume does not reach the ceiling, and a planter was created on top of it. Playful access to water the plants is done through a metal sailor ladder. To create alignment with the bathroom volume, we used mirrors that reflect the stripped slab, giving the feeling that this volume is also detached from the ceiling.
Floor plan
Lighting was resolved through metal shelves. Sometimes with directional spots, sometimes with LED strips that illuminate the slab. We sought to create a more intimate atmosphere, but with different scene possibilities. For the dining and kitchen areas, which required a stronger solution, a folded metal luminaire connected to the shelves was designed. The long cantilevered volume seems to be floating. The central lighting points on the slab that were not used were given a round brass mirror.
The shelves, in addition to solving the lighting, serve as support for production and plant support. As we wanted to leave the floor free while also liking plants very much, we chose to hang them: metal hooks with magnets support the jibóias and yellow philodendrons, making it easy to change their positions as they grow. Finally, the folds of the shelves also function as curtain rods for the living room’s roll-ons.
The apartment furniture alternates between new pieces and family items, Studio Pedro Luna’s line items, and unique pieces that Pedro made with fallen tree wood, such as the coffee table and dining table. The living room has a square layout composed of two sofas, an armchair, a bench, and a coffee table, seeking a pleasant conversation circle. A rectangular table, with a wooden top and metal legs, completes the dining area with 6 green chairs, alternating between three different models: enxada, gravatá, and pedrita chairs.
The first bedroom, which was opened to the living room, became the TV room. A deep built-in wardrobe was replaced by a wooden veneer niche that serves as both a bar and space for the record player and vinyl collection. Additionally, all the TV infrastructure is located in this niche, eliminating the need for a TV stand. The Frame TV, when turned off, functions as a painting, and below it, the couple’s stool collection is displayed. As mentioned above, the Move island sofa from Líder Interiores divides the living room and TV area. With foldable backs, it functions as a chaise for watching movies.
The second bedroom was turned into an office. We used the existing cabinets and created a desk that would serve the couple, as both work from home. We veneered the shelves of the existing niche to give a touch of grace to the all-white cabinet and complement the new desk. A green futon sofa brings color to the environment and serves as a guest bed.
Floor plan – demolish
The powder room also serves as the guest room bathroom. We changed the position of the sink so that it would be seen frontally upon entering. We used the same stone as the kitchen, quartzite del mare, which complements the green hydraulic tile floor. The other existing fixtures were maximized, only changing ceramics and metals.
Large and minimalist was our desire for the master suite. To achieve this, we demolished the old closet and, to create the new one, we turned the access from the maid’s room to the suite. We designed bedside tables following the same clean language as the office, and on one side, they become a dressing table. The headboard was also made with demolition bricks that extend along the entire wall of the room. The bathroom received a blue hydraulic tile floor and a smaller countertop than before, making room for a planter.
Finally, the laundry area, in addition to housing the usual (sink, washing machine, etc.), has a workshop, useful for small adjustments to designer pieces. The low cabinet serves as storage for tools and cleaning products, and to make the space more spacious, we chose not to have overhead cabinets: brooms and dustpans are stored in a drawer under the cabinet.
Text description provided by the architects. As soon as you step over the threshold of this urban oasis, you enter a world of comfort and style. The space is bathed in natural light, creating an inviting atmosphere that entices you to stay and relax. This urban sanctuary, nestled within the heart of the TARYAN complex, is a testament to innovation, environmental consciousness, and the art of living, even in adversity.
Courtesy of Makhno Studio
In these uncertain times, the OSONNIA Apartment has become a refuge for its inhabitants, providing solace and protection. As natural light floods the space and the warmth from carefully selected elements permeates its core, the apartment becomes a sanctuary. This haven emanates a sense of security from within.
Courtesy of Makhno StudioCourtesy of Makhno Studio
The OSONNIA Apartment is a testament to MAKHNO Studio’s unwavering commitment to pushing boundaries, reimagining spaces, and creating havens of beauty and inspiration. It is a celebration of the art of living, reminding us that even in the face of adversity, the transformative power of design can provide respite and ignite the human spirit.
Courtesy of Makhno StudioCourtesy of Makhno Studio
With minimalist furniture and natural textures, this apartment exudes effortless elegance. The smooth, sleek lines of the furniture and the harmonious combination of wood, stone, and ceramics create a sense of harmony and balance that soothes the soul.
Courtesy of Makhno StudioCourtesy of Makhno Studio
One of the key achievements of the space rethinking process is the expansion of essential areas. The master bedroom, wardrobe, and bathroom have been enlarged, ensuring ample space for relaxation and storage. By increasing the size of the hallway, the flow of movement within the apartment becomes more fluid and intuitive.
Courtesy of Makhno Studio
Not content with these enhancements alone, MAKHNO Studio also managed to incorporate additional features without sacrificing living space. A small, yet functional laundry room and a guest bathroom have been seamlessly integrated, providing convenience and practicality without compromising the main rooms’ comfort and aesthetics.
Courtesy of Makhno Studio
“We wanted to reimagine the OSONNIA Apartment as a space that truly reflects the needs and desires of its inhabitants,” says Olexander Makhno, lead designer at MAKHNO Studio. “By studying their daily routines and optimizing the layout, we were able to transform this apartment into a personalized sanctuary that caters to their every need.”
Courtesy of Makhno Studio
Within the OSONNIA Apartment, every detail has been meticulously curated to create a cocoon of comfort and beauty. Minimalist furniture and natural textures combine effortlessly, enveloping residents in an ambiance of serenity. The harmonious blend of wood, stone, and ceramics creates a symphony of tranquillity that soothes the soul.
Courtesy of Makhno StudioCourtesy of Makhno Studio
Prepare to be mesmerized by the VOLCANO light fixtures adorning the kitchen and dining areas. These enchanting creations are like fragments of nature, casting a mesmerizing and otherworldly glow that mimics the gentle ebb and flow of molten lava. The warm, welcoming light they emanate creates an ambiance that envelops guests in a cocoon of tranquillity and warmth.
In the living room, the MAKIVKA lights hang from above, resembling delicate blossoms suspended in mid-air. Crafted from ceramics, these exquisite fixtures feature rough, chaotic openings that birth a silky, caressing light. They transcend their role as mere illuminators, emerging as masterpieces that pay homage to the rich tapestry of Ukrainian craftsmanship and design.
Courtesy of Makhno Studio
The bedroom of the OSONNIA apartment is a sanctuary of serenity, adorned in light, natural beige tones. Ceramic furniture and the texture of wild stone combine to create an atmosphere of ultimate comfort and security. The soft glow of the LAKUNA lamps, positioned on either side of the bed, lulls residents into a state of blissful relaxation. A meticulously designed wardrobe and an opulent bathroom complete this luxurious haven, offering an escape from the world outside.
Courtesy of Makhno StudioCourtesy of Makhno Studio
As the boundaries between work and leisure blur, the OSONNIA Apartment seamlessly integrates a workspace into the relaxation area. Immerse yourself in creative endeavors or indulge in moments of repose, all while basking in panoramic views of the vibrant cityscape. This harmonious blend of functionality and inspiration sets the stage for new levels of productivity and rejuvenation.
Courtesy of Makhno Studio
In these perilous times, the OSONNIA Apartment stands as a symbol of resilience and hope, proving that even in challenging conditions, the power of design and the solace of a well-crafted living space can uplift and nurture the human spirit. Through the interplay of light, warmth, and artistic expression, the OSONNIA Apartment embodies the indomitable human desire for beauty, comfort, and a place to call home.
