The renovation of a flat in a pre-war tenement building in Wrocław, designed by Kinga Łukaszyńska of Rebuild Studio, is an example of a project in which the existing architectural fabric becomes an equal partner to contemporary design solutions. The project, named D3, was conceived with the aim of creating a space that genuinely supports everyday life – energising in the morning and calming in the evening, whilst remaining functional and resilient to heavy use.
Reorganisation of the space
The original layout of the flat was redesigned to better meet the needs of the residents. The two largest rooms were combined into a single, open-plan living area, allowing full use to be made of the three-metre-high ceilings. As a result, the space has gained a sense of lightness and clarity, and natural light flows freely between the different areas.
During the works, original finishing elements were uncovered, including coarse-grained plaster in natural shades and wooden floorboards. Where their condition permitted, these were preserved and incorporated into the new design. The project required flexibility, as working in historic buildings often involves having to respond to discoveries that only come to light during the construction phase.
Colour and atmosphere
One of the most distinctive features of the D3 flat is the yellow ceilings in the kitchen, dining room, hallway and bathroom. This is a deliberate choice that brings warmth to the interior and visually brightens areas with less natural light. The colour acts as a filter here – it energises the space without overshadowing its function.
In the wet rooms, white square ceramic tiles in various sizes have been used. This material has historically been present in flats dating from the time the building was constructed, so its use reinforces stylistic continuity and emphasises the character of the space.
A kitchen for discovering flavours
The focal point of the living area is a steel catering island with gas hobs. Its form and material are reminiscent of professional kitchen facilities – it is durable, functional and ready for daily, intensive use. The heating system required modernisation, but we managed to retain the decorative cast-iron radiators, which introduce a detail characteristic of the era into the interior.
Details matter
Lighting has become one of the key elements of the design. Several lighting scenes have been planned for the flat, tailored to the time of day and activities – from morning stimulation to evening tranquillity. The luminaires were selected for their light quality and reduced blue light emission. The solutions used ensure even light distribution and visual comfort. The number of switches was also reduced, improving the ergonomics and clarity of the space. A sound system has been integrated into the suspended ceiling, ensuring that the technology remains present but out of sight.
Flat D3 is an example of a project in which the historic structure and contemporary design choices form a coherent, functional whole. Kinga Łukaszyńska demonstrates that working in a tenement building need not mean compromises – it can become an opportunity to unlock the potential of the space and create an original and welcoming environment.
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About the studio:
“The most sustainable building is one that has already been built” – this sentence best captures the architect’s approach, which combines experience gained in Poland, at the Spanish firm Fernando Menis, and at university in Slovakia. In her work, she prioritises thorough technical planning, but consultations, research and experimentation leading to informed design decisions are equally important to her.
Her thinking about space is based on function, proportion, dominance, geometry, light and acoustics. Each of these elements has its place in the design process, creating a coherent structure that responds to the needs of users and respects the existing architectural fabric.
design: Kinga Łukaszyńska – Rebuild Studio
photos: Natalia Kapsa
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