A house has been built in Poznań’s Murawa district, where light has become the primary building block of the space. Ktura Architekci designed the interior of this three-storey building for a young couple with two young boys, focusing on everyday family life, freedom of movement and a sense of lightness. Right from the first meeting with the clients, a phrase was voiced that became the cornerstone of the entire project: “Our children should have a great time here!” It was this very phrase that guided all decisions – from changing the functional layout to the choice of colours and details.
The living area on the ground floor was designed to be bright, open and as spacious as possible. The architect deliberately rejected the developer’s original proposals, which envisaged a kitchen closed off from the entrance. This layout meant that the narrow hallway was dark, and the space felt cramped. The new design opens up the ground floor, brightens it and ensures that every metre is put to good use – from the entrance, through the living room and dining room, right through to the children’s playroom.
Light, space and the white kitchen cube
The key design decision was to change the functional layout of the living area. In place of the dark, enclosed kitchen, a bright, white structure – the kitchen cube – has been introduced, enclosed on all sides and integrated with the built-in units in the entrance hall and living room. This approach allowed several functions to be combined into a single, cohesive element: the kitchen has become the heart of everyday activities, whilst also serving as a discreet storage space for the entrance area.
The fitted units connecting the hall to the living room, together with the white kitchen cube, provide storage for the entire ground floor. In the narrow entrance hall, we managed to ‘pack in’ as many functions as possible without compromising the sense of space. Wardrobes, hidden shelves and storage compartments form the backdrop to the household’s daily life, whilst also organising the view from the very threshold. As a result, the first impression upon entering the home is one of brightness and order, rather than a succession of doors and cabinet fronts.
Sporty angles
The interior features distinctive sloping lines, which are by no means a random design choice. This is a deliberately designed detail that connects the different zones of the home – sporty, dynamic transitions, perfectly suited to the energy of the residents. The sloping lines guide the eye, emphasise directions of movement and lend the space a sense of lightness. They introduce a subtle dynamism that ensures the ground floor is not merely a collection of plain walls, but a living structure that responds to its users.
In the living room, the television proved to be the key element – or rather, the fact that its role had been deliberately limited. The owners emphasised that the screen must not dominate the space; it is meant to be an element that can be moved, hidden away or subordinated to other activities. “When the TV’s in my way… I just move it wherever I want!” – this phrase became the practical guiding principle for the living room’s design.
Thanks to this approach, we were able to choose the best possible functional layout: the living room is a place for gatherings, conversations and playing with the children, and only secondarily a space for watching films. The furniture has been arranged to foster social interaction rather than focusing attention on a single point. Sofas, coffee tables and lighting create a flexible setting for everyday life, which can be easily rearranged to suit different needs – from a family afternoon to an evening with friends.
Colour palette: green, purple and blue
This project also features a deliberate, unconventional colour scheme. In her initial consultation with the clients, the architect asked a simple question: “What colour do you like?” The answer turned out to be very specific – green, purple and blue. It is a bold palette that required precise balancing, but it was quickly taken to heart by the designer and the future residents.
The choice of colours was not merely a matter of intuition. During the project, the challenge was to gather all the colour and material samples from this palette. It was necessary to find shades that harmonise well with one another in natural light, do not compete with the white of the kitchen units, and do not overwhelm the relatively narrow spaces. Shades of green appear as accents in the upholstery and accessories, purples in selected furnishings, whilst shades of blue bring a sense of calm and depth.
Sheet metal as a detail
The most challenging, yet favourite, detail in the whole house is the perforated sheet metal, powder-coated in RAL 9003 – the designer’s favourite shade. This element serves several functions at once. It forms a balustrade that is visually light yet safe. In the entrance area, it becomes a concealed shoe shelf, discreetly integrated into the built-in units. Additionally, it acts as a ventilation cover for the white kitchen unit, tidying away technical elements and giving them an elegant form.
The perforated sheet metal is an example of how a detail can tie different parts of the house together. Its repetitive pattern filters the light, creates subtle shadows and lends the interior a slightly industrial character, which harmonises well with the space’s modern, family-oriented function. It is an element the architect enjoys looking at and whose texture she likes to touch – the project’s material signature, visible both in the entrance area and near the kitchen.
The house in Poznań’s Murawa district is a story of light, functionality and bold colour choices, but above all, of family. The project by Ktura Architekci demonstrates how a deliberate change to the layout, well-thought-out circulation between zones and refined details can translate into everyday comfort for the residents.
design: Ktura Architekci https://kturaarchitekci.pl/
photographs: Przemysław Turlej
See also: Poznań | Detached house | Interiors | Minimalism | whiteMAD on Instagram
