The new face of a flat in a block of flats was created by architects Iva Hájková and Kateřina Šmardová. The interior was created for an investor who initially planned to sell his old flat to move to a new flat. However, he decided to carry out an extensive renovation and a total redesign of the space. The result is a modern apartment with the added advantage of an attractive location in the Czech capital.
At first glance, the metamorphosis of the flat may seem like a bold idea – it is, after all, an ordinary flat in a large-panel block of flats on the edge of old and new Žižkov. The clients initially planned to sell the interior and move to a “better” building, but the excellent location in the heart of Prague convinced them to stay. As a result, the design studio created a space where raw concrete meets fresh greenery, and an open living area merges with zones requiring intimacy.
The focal point of the flat became the spacious living room, enlarged at the expense of the adjoining room. The enlargement of this zone was achieved by removing the connecting wall, instead of which a glass partition was set up. Its frosted, greenish structure lets light into the interior, while gently separating the study and the exercise corner, where the occupants can peacefully devote themselves to remote work or their morning workout.
There are two bathrooms in the flat. One with a bathtub and built-in washing machine, and the other with a shower. Both are kept in the spirit of natural materials, reminiscent of stone. The designers wanted the bathrooms to give a sense of lightness and order.
The guiding element of the design is the metaphor of a waterfall pushing through the rocks. Raw concrete slabs, exposed on the walls and ceiling, provide a stone base on which greenish U-glass blocks flare, reminiscent of water drops on the rocks. Underfoot, a tinted terrazzo stretches out, formed from shards of green, pink, beige and grey, binding the whole into a natural, organic mosaic. Every material – from wood and split stone slabs to strategically placed mirrors and light, airy fabrics – creates a mood of closeness to nature in an urban interior.
Although concrete may seem cool, in this flat it gains a cosy feel through textiles. A soft curtain along the U-glass partition allows for even more intimacy, while a draped fabric in the bedroom brands the entrance to the separate dressing room. An additional layer of visual warmth is introduced by subtle drawings on the concrete walls and decorations.
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Functionality is the other protagonist of this arrangement. In the bedroom, a wardrobe hidden behind a curtain flows seamlessly into the built-in wardrobes surrounding the bathroom, where the entrance to the bath area is hidden behind a concealed slide. In the spacious family room, a capacious wardrobe was placed, and in the study, a bookcase with built-in desk, creating an ergonomic workspace.
The interior of ‘By the Waterfall’ proves that the metamorphosis of an old flat in an ordinary block of flats can reveal a completely new quality of old spaces. The rawness of the concrete meets the softness of the fabrics here, and the raw materials harmonise with the natural greenery to create a space full of movement, light and calm.
photos: KUBICEK.STUDIO, www.kubicek.studio
design: Iva Hajkova Studio
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