There are interiors that create their atmosphere through a single bold statement. Then there are those that reveal themselves gradually – as you discover the furniture, materials and details one by one. The flat in the Smolna Sopot development falls into the latter category. Here, virtually every part of the space has its own character, and the combination of seemingly disparate elements creates a surprisingly cohesive whole.
Edyta Krawczyk and Tomasz Tronina from the Innovattio Architecture studio are responsible for the design. Their concept is based on a deliberate departure from an interior dominated by a single aesthetic. Instead, there is a blend of textures, colours and forms, in which concrete can sit alongside onyx, steel alongside recycled plastic, and contemporary Polish design alongside works of art.
This is particularly interesting in the context of the location. Smolna Sopot was built next to the Tri-City Landscape Park, in the immediate vicinity of a Baltic Sea forest. However, the flat does not attempt to literally evoke the sea. Rather, the seaside atmosphere emerges through associations – organic shapes, the colours of sand, stone and the textures of materials. Thanks to this, the interior retains its own identity, independent of its location.
Polish design without decorative restraint
One of the strongest elements of the design is the choice of furnishings. The living room brings together pieces representing various trends in contemporary Polish design: the Barva vase by Pani Jurek, the Poodle chair by Mati Sipiora, items from The Good Living collection, and Daaz sofas by Noti. However, they do not form a catalogue-style display. Each item has been paired with other materials and forms in such a way that the whole has more of a collector’s piece feel than a mere interior arrangement.
Designs created specifically for this interior also play an important role. The central table is one example of this approach. Its construction combines hand-moulded concrete legs, steel and an unusual tabletop finished with polishing and etching. The ensemble is complemented by transparent glass created by Tri-City designer Edyta Barańska.
The rug and the coffee table with an onyx top were also custom-designed. Their irregular, soft forms evoke associations with stones smoothed by the waves. Paired with the light-coloured sofas, they evoke the sandy landscapes of the coast, though without any literal maritime references.
Material rather than decoration
The designers did not limit themselves to choosing off-the-shelf furniture. Much of the furnishings was designed specifically for the flat – based on bespoke drawings. This includes, amongst other things, the kitchen, the bookcase, the sliding-door system and smaller built-in elements. As a result, the boundary between architecture and furnishings virtually disappears.
At the same time, the design remains experimental. This is particularly evident in the area where the steel structure is combined with panels made from recycled PLA. Around 50 kilograms of waste were used in their production. When backlit, the material takes on an appearance reminiscent of molten lava.
Next to it is a space dedicated to a vivid cobalt-blue artwork by Grzegorz Worpus. This is one of those areas of the flat where design and art begin to function on an equal footing. The colour of the painting, the raw quality of the steel and the unexpected texture of the recycled plastic create a composition that resembles an art installation rather than a traditional storage area.
Every room has its own story
The interior has not been treated as a uniform set design. The individual rooms differ in character, and some of them significantly alter the atmosphere of the entire flat.
The best example is the main bathroom, dominated by a deep shade of Verde Guatemala. The marble lends it an almost jewel-like quality and creates a strong counterpoint to the calmer parts of the flat.
In the bedroom, meanwhile, a key feature is a bas-relief by Aleksandra Józefów. Its form was inspired by the traces left by the wind on the sand. It is a subtle yet clear nod to the seaside setting.
Alongside the art are objects intended, first and foremost, for everyday use. The Fulu armchair by Nobonobo and the Bruni VOCO poplar burl console table do not function here as museum exhibits. They are part of normal life – just like books or a record player.
A home rather than a showroom
It is precisely this balance that seems most intriguing. With such a large number of distinctive pieces of furniture, original designs and works of art, it would be easy to create an interior that is striking but not particularly welcoming. Here, however, the home’s residential character has been successfully preserved.
The designers draw on the modernist idea of designing space as a whole, but do not treat it dogmatically. At Smolna Sopot, contemporary materials, recycling, art and Polish design come together with bespoke solutions. As a result, the flat does not look like a collection of randomly selected design icons, but rather like a carefully curated collection.
This is an interior for people who do not need everything to match. On the contrary – its strength lies in its contrasts. From the combination of concrete and stone, soft fabrics and steel, bold colours and natural associations. From the belief that a well-designed space need not be quiet or conservative.
At Smolna Sopot, design becomes part of everyday life. It isn’t placed on a pedestal, but nor does it fade into the background. It is present almost everywhere – as a piece of furniture, a fabric, a painting, a light fitting or a detail. And that is precisely why this flat can be seen not so much as a finished interior scheme, but rather as a private collection to which new chapters are added every day.
Design: Innovattio Architecture
Photography: PION Studio
Developer: Invest Komfort
See also: Flat | Architecture | Kitchen | Bathroom | Housing estate
