The project by Joanna Ochota, founder of the concept JOana studio, stands out at first glance. Not only because it is located in one of Bytom’s most distinctive housing estates (Bolko, designed by Medusa Group), but above all because the flat’s owner is a graduate of the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning at the Silesian University of Technology. This shared sensitivity to space and structure meant that discussions about the interior took place at a level rarely seen in private projects.
Joanna Ochota emphasises that from the outset she felt she could afford to be more daring. The stark architecture of the housing estate, the yellow accents on the façades and the distinctive structural details became a natural point of reference. It is precisely this yellow – intense, light-reflecting, acting as an internal source of energy – that has permeated the interior, making its strongest mark on the staircase. There, it creates the effect of a luminous core that brightens the terraced house’s space and introduces a sculptural element. The balustrade echoes a motif familiar from the building’s balconies and terraces, whilst the yellow fluorescent lights, seemingly arranged at random, emphasise the industrial character of this part of the house.
On the ground floor, the designer continues the dialogue with the architecture. The concrete ceiling, paired with warm wood and vibrant yellow, creates a composition softened by the terrazzo-patterned floor. The most important element of this floor, however, is the wall finished with MDF panels, running from the living room through the hallway to the kitchen. Its function changes seamlessly: from wall panelling, through a concealed door, to kitchen units. As a result, the space is perceived as a single, logically designed whole, and the flat appears larger than its square footage would suggest.
The kitchen has been designed to make maximum use of the available space. The L-shaped worktop, with a movable section under the window, allows for flexible use of the space. The tall units to the left of the entrance house the fridge and oven, whilst also concealing access to a small storage cupboard. The cabinet fronts have been pushed forward, creating additional storage space behind the units. Classic square tiles feature in the kitchen and the ground-floor toilet, deliberately evoking the aesthetics of the 1980s, which fits in with the architectural consistency of the entire project.
Upstairs are the children’s rooms, each with a distinct colour scheme, the parents’ bedroom and a bathroom. This part of the house is quieter and more intimate, yet still guided by the principles of clarity and functionality that underpin the entire project.
The flat in Bytom is an example of how a conscious interpretation of a building’s architecture can form the foundation for its interior. The architect did not copy motifs, but interpreted them, creating a space that engages with its surroundings whilst responding to the residents’ needs. It is a project in which consistency and boldness go hand in hand with precision.
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About the architect:
Joanna Ochota – architect, interior and product designer, graduate of the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning at the Silesian University of Technology. Since 2004, she has been creating house and interior designs that regularly feature in industry magazines. She works throughout Silesia, as well as in Warsaw and Gorzów Wielkopolski, amongst other places. In her projects, she focuses on bespoke solutions, simplicity and the conscious use of colour, bringing out the space’s natural potential. She is the author of articles on interior design, a blogger and a winner of competitions related to design and styling. She is a co-creator of the “Tastes of Life” collection for Barlinek and has received distinctions in the Muraspec and Roca Designer competitions. She regards design as her work, passion and source of satisfaction, as evidenced by projects that have been highly regarded by clients.
design: ConceptJOana Joanna Ochota
photos: Ola Łysiuk Fotownetrza
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