The BreslauRed flat, situated in a 1930s tenement block in Wrocław, is an example of a project in which the contemporary meets the modernist heritage of the site. The designers behind the project – Szymon Hanczar and Kinga Dżugan – treated the existing architectural fabric as a starting point for creating a space with a distinctive character, shaped by both the materials used and the art of local artists.
The project was based on a careful analysis of the building. The architects took the time to understand its history, proportions and details, which have survived for almost a century. It is these very elements that formed the foundation for a contemporary interpretation of modernism – an approach that has allowed the continuity of the site to be preserved, whilst at the same time giving it a contemporary dimension.
The modernist floor
The most significant discovery during the works was the original concrete floor in a deep red colour. This type of finish was characteristic of modernist projects from the 1930s, and its discovery became a key inspiration for the entire project. It is from this colour and from the city’s historical name – Breslau – that the flat takes its name: BreslauRed.
The designers decided to highlight all the preserved elements of the building’s structure. The door frames were restored, whilst the cast-iron radiators were refurbished and painted in deep, rich shades reminiscent of the era in which the tenement was built. As a result, the details have gained distinctiveness, whilst the interior has achieved harmony with the modernist heritage of the site.
New functional layout
Although the building’s history was a key point of reference for the designers, adapting the space to the contemporary needs of the residents proved equally important. The functional layout was reorganised – the kitchenette was relocated, allowing for the creation of a full-sized bedroom whilst maintaining the spaciousness of the living area. This is an example of thoughtful design, in which the past and the present come together to form a harmonious whole.
The new elements do not dominate the historic features, but rather form a complementary arrangement with them. Contemporary technical solutions, durable materials and a well-thought-out spatial organisation enhance the comfort of everyday life, whilst remaining in dialogue with the tenement’s architectural heritage.
An interior enriched by art
The interior of BreslauRed is distinguished by the presence of art, which gives it a unique and local context. The space features vibrantly coloured objects by Roland Grabkowski, paintings by Jarosław Grulkowski and Antek Wajda, photographs by Adam Markowski, and prints by Marianna Stuhr and Wojciech Fangor. Among the functional objects, you’ll find ceramics by Karina Marusińska and Monika Jangrot, as well as furniture designed by artists associated with Wrocław.
Particular attention is drawn to a monumental slice of bread suspended on the wall – a sculpture by the Wrocław-based artist Antek Wajda. This unconventional object introduces an element of humour and playful lightness into the interior, whilst emphasising the role of art as a fully-fledged component of the interior design.
A contemporary interpretation of history
The result of the designers’ work is a space that combines a deep connection to the history of the place with the freedom of a contemporary lifestyle. The BreslauRed flat demonstrates that the modernist heritage can be reinterpreted – through materials, proportions, art and conscious design choices. This is the next chapter in the story inscribed within the walls of this Wrocław tenement house, written with respect for the past and with the everyday lives of its residents in mind.
design: Szymon Hanczar, Kinga Dżugan (pandom.in)
photographs: Studio archives
See also: Wrocław | Flat | Interiors | Tenement block | Eclecticism | Recommended | whiteMAD on Instagram
