The RATHER TWO flat in Bucharest is 80 square metres in size, but this space pulsates with a multi-layered story of cultural diversity intertwined in everyday life and the creative collaboration of designers Anka and Kelvin. Their flat is not just a collection of functional solutions, but a consciously composed narrative in which emotions, rituals and landscapes of their homeland become the foundation of aesthetics.
The design stems from a dialogue between cultures. Romania brings symbolism, the softness of greenery and a wealth of traditional motifs, while Angola brings earthiness, ritualism and organic forms. These two orders do not compete with each other, but intertwine, determining the colour scheme, materials and layout of the space. The architects use the existing architecture (varying ceiling heights of up to three metres, a clear division of rooms and an eight-metre-deep living room) to create distinctive zones for different activities.
The key motif is the concept of two “boxes”: Green Box and Wood Box. The first creates an atmosphere of concentration. It is an entrance space that deliberately pauses before revealing the living room bathed in light and a view of the city filtered through the crown of an old tree. The second, Wood Box, leads to the night zone, introducing calm and balance. In both cases, the materials and colours are not decoration, but a tool for creating mood — from deep green to warm wood, from rough stucco to cool stone.
Although the architecture of the flat is based on sharp lines, the furnishings deliberately soften this geometry. The soft, rounded edges of the furniture introduce fluidity and give a sense of harmony. Many elements were created in collaboration with local craftsmen, giving the design a dimension deeply rooted in the place. This is particularly evident in the living room, which has been redesigned: behind a double-sided acoustic curtain, there is an additional space with a module that serves as storage, allows you to work at a desk, and, if necessary, can be converted into a sleeping area. The bed is hidden in the built-in furniture. With limited space,such flexibility becomes crucial.
RATHER TWO does not lend itself to clear stylistic classifications. It is an interior that consciously juxtaposes opposites: tradition and modernity, ornamentation and minimalism, softness and austerity. Each material has been selected for its sensory impact — wood encourages touch, stucco introduces a rough texture, stone cools, and textiles envelop.
Art and craftsmanship are an integral part of this space. Paintings by Romanian artist Dragoș Bădița dialogue with the character of each room, while works by international artists Jacco Bunt and Jody Barton add energy and a global context to the interior. Alongside them are design icons from Muuto and Flos, introducing a timeless dimension and a balance between locality and universality.
The most personal touches are three artistic interventions created by the architects themselves. INFINITE SUNSET, Kelvin’s original inlay made of ALPI veneers, combines references to Brâncuși and the Angolan Chokwe mask, becoming a symbolic portrait of their relationship. ONDA, a hybrid stool and chair designed for the boudoir, evokes memories of the waves from Kelvin’s childhood spent on the Angolan coast. The dining bench, made from recycled Transylvanian ceiling beams and hand-painted by artist Maria Grigore, draws on Romanian folk motifs and gives them a contemporary interpretation.
In RATHER TWO, each element is a testament to the meeting of two cultures, two temperaments and two sensibilities. This is a flat in Bucharest that is not only to be seen, but above all to be felt.
design: DORON Atelier – Anca Lungu; OMAMBO – Kelvin Silva
photos: Clément Vayssieres, Kelvin Silva
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