The three-storey loft in Prague by Radka Valová and Petr Vlach resembles a house with a raw yet refined character. The project by the OOOOX studio was born thanks to the fact that the investors approached the architects at the right stage and the developer showed flexibility and openness to far-reaching changes. As a result, the impressive 170sq m interior became an expressive space with an unusual layout.
Central to the concept are exposed reinforced concrete structures running through all three floors of the property. The architects repeatedly consulted with the investors about the decision to leave the raw concrete in place, ultimately creating an interior with an original industrial character, which became its main distinguishing feature. Due to the exposed structure, the design required a thoughtful layout of the installations. The ventilation ducts were routed in the suspended ceilings of the lower floors, and their outlets were concealed in the built-in furniture. In the flat, it was also possible to construct a laundry chute covering all levels of the flat, which was only possible at the design stage. The whole was completed with a smart home control system.
In the living room, the wall made of steel rods, against which a suspended staircase was designed, attracts attention. Each step is made of a thin steel plate clad with wood. The installation required close collaboration between specialists from several trades to achieve an unusual combination of lightness without sacrificing solidity.
Brass taps were used in the bathrooms to create a contrast with the dark large-format tiles. Cooperation with the developer also proved crucial in this part of the project. Thanks to his involvement, it was possible to introduce high-end fittings during the construction phase, without the need for subsequent alterations. One of the bathrooms featured a ceiling-mounted mixer tap, which is a rather unusual and original solution. Each floor has its own distinctive element – the so-called black box, the colour of which covers the floor, walls and ceiling. On the first level in this zone, there is a kitchen with a stone worktop and wooden cladding. On the second is the bedroom with built-ins creating a storage area and a bookshelf behind the headboard of the bed. The third ‘box’, meanwhile, serves as a study.
Most of the furnishings were made to order. The furniture and the staircase made of dark wood have been patinated with ammonia, which provides a long-lasting, deep colour and masks minor scratches. This is complemented by steel elements, including table bases and a vinyl record stand. In the bedroom, the attention is drawn to the glazed dressing table with steel elements, where the owners’ favourite accessories are displayed.
The Loft in Prague by OOOOX consciously uses bold materials, colours and details to create a coherent, modern space with a distinct character.
Studio: OOOOX
Authors: Radka Valova, Petr Vlach
Photographer: Martin Zeman
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