In Poznań’s Sołacz district, in one of the terraced houses, an interior has been created that proves that even a limited space can become a field for architectural finesse. The author of the design is Anna Wajda-Szczęsna, who has created a space with a distinctive character on 105 square metres, tailored to the needs of a family of three, while at the same time demonstrating consistency and courage in the choice of materials.
The house is spread over three floors. The original layout – an open ground floor with a separate toilet and two floors with two rooms and one bathroom each – did not suit the investors’ lifestyle. The architect therefore began her work by analysing a questionnaire, which she routinely sends to her clients. This revealed that the key issue would be the conversion of the top floor. Instead of two small rooms, a single, approximately 30-square-metre private area was created, combining a bedroom, bathroom and dressing room. The architect describes it as the premium space of the house – and it is hard to disagree.
The challenge was to meet all the investors’ expectations in this limited space: to fit a bathtub and shower, two washbasins, a bed with a 200×200 cm mattress and a spacious wardrobe for a large collection of clothes. Initially, this seemed unrealistic, but thanks to a complete redesign of the layout, it was possible to create a functional and visually coherent space. This is an example of how conscious use of proportions and ergonomics can turn limitations into advantages.
The interior of the house is maintained in a cool, minimalist aesthetic reminiscent of the Bauhaus style. The ground floor has been stripped of any wooden elements, which emphasises the austerity and purity of form. Instead of floorboards, microcement has been used, which flows smoothly onto the stairs and passageways of the upper floors. The wall with the fireplace has also been finished with microcement, which enhances the effect of light and shadow and gives the space a sculptural character.
The entrance area is distinguished by a cube covered with laminate imitating brushed aluminium. Its delicate sheen harmonises with the microcement, creating a composition that is uniform in colour but contrasting in structure. The same material reappears in the kitchen, in the TV cabinet and in the toilet, creating consistency throughout the design.
One of the moments that the architect recalls from the finishing stage was the investor’s doubt about the use of as many as five quartz sintered patterns – three on the ground floor alone. Ultimately, it turned out that this diversity did not introduce chaos, but subtly differentiated the surfaces. The whole is combined into a harmonious mood board, complemented by burgundy on the upper floors.
The kitchen features several solutions that demonstrate attention to detail and improve its functionality. The induction hob has been installed under the worktop, which has created more work space. The kitchen island is mobile – wheels hidden in the cabinetry allow it to be moved around according to the needs of the household. A graphite mirror has been used in the strip between the cabinets, which visually enlarges the space and adds depth.
An important element of the design are the paintings by Olga Hausmann, present on both the ground floor and the first floor. Interestingly, a smaller format was originally planned for the living room, but the possibility of “trying it out” on site meant that a 180×180 cm canvas was ultimately chosen. It turned out to be a perfect fit for the scale of the interior, reinforcing its minimalist character.
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About the architect:
Anna Wajda-Szczęsna – interior designer, founder and chief designer of the Wajda studio. A graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts in Poznań, majoring in Architecture and Urban Planning. She gained experience, among others, at Szymon Januszewski’s Insomia studio, where she worked from 2010 to 2020, as well as during internships in Mexico and Spain. In 2017, she obtained building qualifications for unlimited design in the field of architecture.
In her work, she focuses on functional and spatial layout, treating it as the foundation of a successful project. She values clear composition, light and a geometric, two-dimensional approach. She designs in a universal and timeless manner, consciously avoiding passing fads. She focuses on high quality and cooperation with proven contractors. She approaches each project individually, eagerly seeking non-obvious solutions and ensuring maximum use of space.
design: AnnaWajda-Szczęsna
photos: Daria Wyroślak
paintings: Olga Hausmann
Read also: Poznań | Single-family house | Interiors | Bauhaus | Modernism | whiteMAD on Instagram
