At first glance, this seemingly ordinary ground-floor flat in a 1940s building in Poznań’s Grunwald district has undergone a transformation that has completely changed the way the space is used. The design by Anna Komorowicz made the most of the 64 square metres – reorganising the functional layout, streamlining the circulation routes and opening up the interior to new perspectives. The result is a flat that has gained a clear structure, a contemporary character and subtle references to the era from which the building originates.
The starting point was a difficult, closed-off layout of rooms, typical of post-war housing. The designer proposed a solution that completely transformed the way the space is perceived: from the kitchen table, through the new corridor with deep-red built-in units, right through to the study nook featuring a window overlooking the greenery, a clear, linear perspective now runs through the space. This approach became the foundation of the project – it opened up the flat, brought in light and gave the whole a new logic.
Traces of history in the new layout
The comprehensive renovation covered both the building services and a complete reorganisation of the functions. The kitchen was merged with the living room, creating a shared living area. Where the old partition walls once stood, steel joists and a column remain – deliberately left in their raw state and painted a powder-green shade. Rather than concealing them, the design has turned them into an architectural feature of the interior. It is a discreet reminder of the building’s history, which simultaneously brings order to the contemporary space.
A clear division of functions
One of the key challenges was to create a comfortable entrance area. With the existing load-bearing walls, it was difficult to find space for storage, so a new corridor was designed with spacious built-in units on both sides. At the end of the corridor is a work nook – naturally lit, functional and aligned with the main axis of the flat. A bedroom is concealed behind the corridor, making the division between the living and private areas clear and intuitive.
Although the flat has retained none of its original 1940s features, the design subtly evokes that era. The floor features a herringbone pattern, and the doors have been designed with proportions inspired by period joinery, complemented by brass door handles. Terrazzo has been used in the bathroom – a contemporary interpretation of the material found in the building’s stairwell.
The most personal touch is found in the kitchen: brass knobs from the grandmother’s wall unit, transplanted into a new context, have become an everyday, tangible reminder of family history. The kitchen, with its rounded corner and stone worktop, provides the backdrop for carefully selected vintage furniture – from the Poulsen PH5 lamp to the Nelson Ball Clock and Italian chairs from the 1980s. These have become part of everyday life, lending the interior a sense of authenticity.
Something for the child
Although designed with greater freedom, the child’s room remains an integral part of the flat. Colourful panelling, wallpaper and painted furniture create a light, contemporary space, tailored to the current needs of the youngest member of the household.
This refurbished flat in Poznań’s Grunwald district is an example of how conscious design decisions can transform a seemingly ordinary space. Thanks to a clear layout, well-thought-out circulation and subtle references to the building’s history, the interior has gained a new identity – contemporary, functional and rooted in its location.
design: Anna Komorowicz Studio
photographs: Tomasz Koszewnik
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