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. The Ukrainian authenticity encoded with the contemporary design and architecture — frequent requests from our clients. We believe that respect for the past is the guarantee of a conscious future. The MAKHNO Studio shares this philosophy, so in the Vyshyto house we tried to reveal the Ukrainian ethnicity once again. Maintain a balance between national self-perfection and modern visual solutions. Create our own unique ornament. In this house intertwined the significance of MAKHNO Studio’s contemporary Ukrainian style, the past and the present, and what is very important – the energy of clients, like the ornament on the central case, that repeats throughout the whole house, and the hanging iconic Khmara lamps create the illusion of a sky-like atmosphere. Vyshyto is a home for a large Ukrainian family with a father, mother and four children. The family cherishes the national heritage, so they wanted to see it firmly woven into the DNA of their future home. This becomes clear when first acquainted with the house.
Authentic colors meet the eyes of guests and tell their little stories. We emphasized this with the ornament and our Dido, who protects the home from bad energies. The entrance hall is decorated with a Coral reef table by MAKHNO Studio. Inspired by the shape of the coral reef, it allows you to comfortably probe the surface, leaving there, for example, guests’ belongings. The walls of the living room are decorated with authentic Ukrainian artworks. The large room is full of national artifacts, ancient glitz, didukhs and interesting exhibits. The color palette of the entrance room and living room reproduces the colors of national clothes: White and red. Wooden shades add to the space the spirit of nature, an important component of Ukrainian culture. The unique composition of our lamps Khmara prevents incidents and creates a cosy atmosphere of a family circle.
On the same floor is the bedroom of one of the sons, who is seized by the collection of stones. We tried to reach an atmosphere that would fully meet his interests. Makivka’s charming lamp dissolves the light from its bottomless holes and strongly breaks the level of the room line. The walls are visually moving thanks to our award-winning 3D Tetrapod tile. Near the bed is hanging our lamp Lakuna. It gives the bedroom a pleasant asceticism, which is reliably hidden in the morning. In the entrance area of the room of another son, we also used the 3D tile Tetrapod in a turquoise shade. Going down the stairs, you will be met with the giant Dido Isho. He is the boy’s best friend and reliable guard. At the ceiling the beautiful Kvitka – a lamp that we are growing in our studio. With its warm light, Kvitka saturates the spring comfort for a whole year
The wall next to the bed is decorated with Naruto’s favorite heroes, The lamps from the series Crust, which also came out of our studio. The unique national ornament is tenderly fenced with rifle stairs leading to the second floor. The other baby room keeps its commitment to pure white color. The walls are decorated with our tile FlapJack. Its 3D-lacquer texture adds a large volume, deepening the room. In the area of the bed, we have installed the lamps Sopilka from our studio. They charm the room with a gentle harmony of warm light. The next room with a large wood on the wall is a spacious children’s living room. The transit zone on the other side of the house could remain unnoticed. But we decided not to hide the stairs, but, on the contrary, to create something bright. That is why the design tube became an expressive source of lighting. These steps lead to an atmospheric library. Here are the straight lines and wood colors, which are seen even in the rails of the cabinet. A special mood is added by the tile Drozh, developed by our studio. If you find the correct book – a comfortable chair near a large window will become a true friend for many hours.
Then the huge room was expanded, and divided into several functional spaces. At the entrance, there is a shelf and a wardrobe for collection items of the master. A comfortable sofa near the central fireplace serves as a zone of rest over which is hanging the customized clay Khmara lamp in a grey color. In the center is located a unique architectural structure made of stone plaster. As if the frigate’s wind is hanging a stone cloth around the room and warming the comfort of the fireplace’s flame dances. “It may seem that the design is refined in the air, but the process of implementation was extremely difficult. The premise could preserve its function without “a wind”, but the efforts made fully justified itself visually, giving the room the necessary accents of freedom.”
Next to the window to the terrace is a workspace, as the natural light from the window creates the perfect insolation and makes the working process the most enjoyable as the natural light from the window, which comes to the garden, adds to the thoughts of clarity. While the family is out of home, Dido from the table is careful to keep their business. In the middle of the wooden shelves, there was a black column. An interesting relief texture and matte only emphasize the bold brutality of the architectural solution. In addition, it is also a comfortable room with a pile-spacer. Until the owners are at home, Dido from the table is careful to keep their business. The natural light from the window, which comes to the garden, adds to the thoughts of clarity. In the middle of the wooden shelves, there was a black column. An interesting relief texture and matte only emphasize the bold brutality of the architectural solution.
Text description provided by the architects. Mureli is a Ukrainian archaism, an original word in the language of our ancestors, which has fallen out of modern use, but we would like to bring it back. Because we hold mureli in our hands every summer, small orange ones with a red gradient, sweet or sometimes sour. Mureli means apricots. We gave this name to the project of a family house near Kyiv because the construction was finished just in the middle of the summer, and stylistically the interior reminds us of a warm July morning when your eyes are still half-closed, but you are already barefoot looking for the way to the kitchen, where murelis are waiting in a vase since yesterday.
The Mureli House project, probably since the time of another project of the studio — Shkrub House, used the largest number of author’s product designs of Serhii Makhno’s workshop. In addition, 90% of all furniture and materials here are Ukrainian. “It’s Makhno’s style” as our customers say, or as we explain — it’s contemporary Ukrainian style. The business card of this facility will most likely be its hall. Towering walls, a panel of 600 Tetrapods, and 5 huge Khmara lamps, each floating under the ceiling and shining in its direction. Textured walls and stairs add softness to the space, making it real, natural, and not perfected beyond recognition. Handrails made of bent wood were a difficult task for craftsmen. But Ukrainian hands are capable of anything, that’s why the handrails in Mureli House are made precisely according to the wishes of the designers, and the angle of inclination of each wave is preserved.
This project has one difference that is valuable for our experience. The walls and ceilings in Mureli House are rounded like the sides of an apricot. This became a challenge for our architects and general contractors. But they created as many junctions as needed for a perfect shape. We also found a way to make shadow seams on the floor and ceiling. For the final result, we needed patterns, according to which the masters cut out the plasterboard and mounted it. And we made it possible to perfectly fit all cabinet furniture into these radius walls. The drawings made during the work on this project are framed on the wall. Behind the sliding doors, the meeting area for guests begins — a wooden dining table for 12 people with soft Elephants, and a Khmara stretched over it all.
To the right of them is the living room. And the Khmaras are not the only ones: here, Makivka lamps made of copper are taken to task. A fireplace is a mandatory attribute of even a modern Ukrainian home, where generations of families like to gather and neighbours are welcomed. The kitchen is behind transparent sliding doors that are quite airtight. Such was the wish of the owner, who likes to go creative in the kitchen and fantasize about dishes but does not want all these aromas to mix and go for a walk around the house. Four monumental porcelain stoneware cubes are a great way to recreate the texture of stone without the actual natural stone, which would be less functional. And under the ceiling — Volcanos, Makhno author lamps.
On the fireplace, which is located on the indoor terrace of the house, hangs decor from the ceramic workshop of our studio. Very soon, this figure will appear in the new collection of the Makhno Product brand. From “her” bedroom, dressing room, and bathroom, you can easily deduce what her favourite colour is. While working on these areas of the project, our artists were drowning in the pink glaze. After all, there are original tiles, light in each zone, and even a washbasin — all of our design and production. Above the bed, the Kvitka lamp is blooming. We believe that this model brings happiness and harmony to the owners of the space. The corrugated glass of the shower cabin was chosen until the gradient became perfect. Every detail is important.
Before the final edition, each item is produced in a trial version, which must be approved by the designer of the space. So that the implementation had an exact correspondence with the visualizations that the customer liked. Author’s ceramic tile Flapjack, lamps Vulyk, Makivka Ice, and a custom-made washbasin – all from @makhno_product. All the bathrooms of this project have Makhno sinks. This is a new branch of our product design development. We are currently creating custom versions for our customers’ projects, but will soon release a collection for individual sales. We love the Mureli House because it’s home to so many of our author items. Here the owners love contemporary Ukrainian style, and authenticity and appreciate art.
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.
The domestic space reflects individuals’ activities, behaviors, and actions, where various dynamics and processes coexist as part of daily life. Although each home has its distribution logic according to the time of its design, the needs of its inhabitants, the technologies of the era, and other factors, residential interior renovations often express an interest in recovering old structures and façades, recycling unused furniture, restoring high-quality elements present in coverings and flooring, or directly integrating new features to achieve greater spatial fluidity, lighting, and optimization of surfaces.
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According to Josep Montaner, the house is like a microcosm in the universe. Whether dialoguing with the landscape, reinterpreting its history, or incorporating new construction technologies, contemporary renovations of small apartments in Madrid often bring with them the consideration of visual relationships, circulation spaces, and improvements in living conditions, being able to create multi-purpose spaces that adapt to present and future needs. From movable enclosures to multipurpose furniture, today’s architecture professionals articulate different scenarios that combine materials, textures, and colors as a method of transformation and rehabilitation toward a flexible and constantly changing way of living.
Continue reading to discover six apartment projects of up to 60 square meters in Madrid, organized to make the most of their interiors.
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Before and After Renovations: Changes in Architectural Plans
In this 1970s home renovation, the transformation seeks to break with the distribution paradigm of the time, arranged within 40 m². By dismantling the divisions between spaces and dissolving the boundaries of use, a central core integrates all the house’s installations, with the bathroom being the only element completely isolated. Meanwhile, the remaining materials, uses, and rooms blend and interact. Additionally, rails incorporated into the ceilings create a completely different space—a textile project of temporary rooms with complementary uses that require varying degrees of intimacy or isolation.
Based on an organic layout composed of a sequence of consecutive spaces, the intervention in this Madrid apartment aims to create a luminous and visual connection to provide spatial openness and connection with the exterior. Natural light sources are visible from every corner of the house, recreating an atmosphere with subtle light and shadow nuances.
Faced with the characteristic geometry of a building located in the center of Madrid, Impepinable Studio decided to approach the renovation by taking the idea of longitudinal space to another level by solving the entire project with a single ‘magic wall.’ This wall allows for storing everything from clothes and books to kitchen utensils and appliances, houses a bathroom while also featuring a large sink, and serves as a space for cooking, refrigerating, and more. By organizing all the other areas of the apartment, the intervention provides a spacious living area for sharing, working, resting, and so on.
In just 55 m², the renovation of this apartment aims to adapt the typical compartmentalized layout of the 1960s into a hybrid and flexible use. To free up space and increase fluidity and brightness, a large portion of the partitions was removed, and exposed electrical wiring was installed to eliminate false ceilings and expand the living area. In this way, an open area is conceived as a multifunctional space for cooking, eating, or working, where the uses are framed around an iron shelving unit integrated with the rest of the materials, functioning as a dynamic element for storage, separation, or connection.
Located in the historic center of Madrid, the renovation of this 45 m² apartment creates a new space to accommodate a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, storage area, and an extra space for other uses, without excessively subdividing the rooms. The home is designed as a multiple of itself, seeking to multiply the possibilities of use within a small area. At the same time, it reflects the uncertainty of uses that converge in contemporary living, where adaptability and flexibility play a fundamental role in adding functional areas without needing to increase square footage. The main challenge of the project was to find a way to expand and multiply the uses in a home that only allowed for 35 m² of usable space.
The project involves the renovation of a small apartment with narrow spaces, high ceilings, and thin partitions and windows. Throughout the shared creative process, the discussion focused on how to articulate a single domestic space without divisions. The aim was to achieve a natural and fluid movement based on either consensual or spontaneous reference points, stemming from the dynamic relationship between the body and space rather than the imposition of walls and doors. All the partitions were demolished, and a central volume of 2.5 meters in height was installed to organize domestic life around the main living area while concentrating the wet zones in the center of the apartment, serving as both the bathroom and kitchen.
This article is part of an ArchDaily curated series that focuses on built projects from our own database grouped under specific themes related to cities, typologies, materials, or programs. Every month, we will highlight a collection of structures that find a common thread between previously uncommon contexts, unpacking the depths of influence on our built environments. As always, at ArchDaily, we highly appreciate the input of our readers. If you think we should mention specific ideas, please submit your suggestions.
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.
