The flat is located in the Oliwa district, which is full of history. Located in one of the buildings, the flat has undergone a total metamorphosis. The project was prepared by architects from NONA Studio and e/su, who, instead of competing with the character of the district, decided to emphasise this character in the interior, introducing its calm and order in a new, contemporary arrangement.
The flat, located in a quiet part of Stara Oliwa, was the starting point for the concept – its surroundings, scale and local climate shaped the architectural language of the interior. – We wanted to maintain continuity and transfer a piece of the neighbourhood’s character, its climate and tranquillity also to the interior of the flat,” say the authors of the project. The interior was to be an extension of the neighbourhood: calm, warm and unobtrusive, yet open to light and the relationship between rooms.
Transformation of the space and new functional layout
The original structure, although spacious in metric terms, was cramped in perception due to the long corridors and numerous walls dividing the plan. The main aim of the reconstruction was to open up the interior and create new viewing relationships by introducing clearances and flowing transitions. The duplex nature of the flat was exploited to the maximum, so that daylight freely penetrates the entire plan.
Already at the entrance, visitors are greeted by a semi-transparent screen with ornamental glass, which filters the light and announces the further character of the space. The glass-and-wooden surround separates the zones without breaking up the composition and merges with the carved bench of the kitchenette. The focal point of the living area is a curved, asymmetrical island with a quartzite top, whose light mass contrasts with the stretched, dark cupboard at the entrance. The former enclosed kitchen now opens up into a one-and-a-half-metre-long passageway with a massive sliding door, and an additional room with variable functionality, equipped with full-height retractable doors, can serve as an extension of the living room or as a fully autonomous room – a home office or bedroom – with a separate entrance from the corridor.
Textures, materials and finishing details
A thoughtful palette of materials has been used throughout the flat, which builds a balance between rawness and warmth. A seamless, polished microcement has been laid in the entrance and kitchen areas, providing a smooth, almost sculptural backdrop. The living and bedroom areas are warmed by natural, treated oak. The structured paint on the walls breaks up the uniformity of the micro-cement and corresponds to the texture of the wood. Metal details in the finish – from brushed steel to warm bronze and brass – act as subtle accents that enrich the composition without dominating it.
Walnut wood furniture finishes introduce depth and balance the brightness of the beige fronts. The coffee alcove exposed in the built-ins has become a decorative accent finished in a beige-brick checkerboard marble mosaic, adding an intimate, artisanal touch to the space.
Colour palette and art
The colour scheme of the flat derives directly from the painting “Beachgoers”, which has sentimental value for the owners and has been restored and incorporated into the living room. The dominant beiges in various shades and textures create a consistent, monolithic base, while avoiding monotony through subtle material variations. Black accents, present in fixtures and fittings, introduce a graphic contrast and emphasise the modern character of the interior.
The bathroom is kept in the same colour harmony, punctuated by a green stone washbasin, which acts as a colour accent and connects the space with nature.
The remodelling of the flat has unlocked its potential. The architects did not attempt to reinterpret the neighbourhood, but to bring it inside in the form of a condensed atmosphere. The remodelling removes perceptual barriers and replaces them with subtle transitions, while the choice of materials and colours creates a coherent, mature composition. The interior breathes the urban history of Stara Oliva, invites you to stay and gives you comfort every day.
design: NONA Studio and e/su
photos: Resource Studio
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