The flat is 165 sq m and is located at the top of a high-rise building in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Its interior was designed by Buzdayeva Zaure, who turned an empty developer space into a carefully designed flat, filled with designer furniture. The ‘Return to Origins’ project is proof that an interior can be a story – subtle yet emotional, combining local identity with modern architecture.
The centre of the space is an open plan where the lounge, kitchen and dining areas weave together in a seamless composition. Walls tinted in light, pearlescent colours and expansive stained glass windows let in soft light, while transparent tempered glass walls define boundaries without a sense of enclosure. Even the structural column has been transformed into a striking fireplace – a focal point that draws the eye in and enhances the intimate atmosphere of the living room.
The adaptation work required the removal of all partition walls and structural reinforcements, which entailed a comprehensive reorganisation of the electrical, plumbing and ventilation systems. Large-apartment projects rarely allow for such free-form interior design, but with advanced load-bearing analysis and precise coordination, the vision was realised without compromise. The alignment of climate parameters was also a key challenge: a supply and exhaust system with heat recovery, a concealed ducted air-conditioning system and intelligent solutions to control blinds, for example.
To increase the impression of space, the architect proposed a uniform colour scheme for the ceilings and walls. This created a bright background for the natural materials and expressive furniture. In addition, the floors were highlighted in warm ash and oak tones, while stone accents became artistic interludes, emphasising the architectural severity.
Soft carpets imported from world-class brands such as Paulig, Toulemonde Bochart, Brink & Campman and Papilio subtly delineate the different zones, introducing a sensual layer of comfort. Artistic inserts – large felt panels with delicate, organic motifs or a hand-carved plaster bass-relief – build intimacy, inviting you to touch the textures of the furniture and accessories, affecting different senses. Each of these elements seems to tell a separate story, yet form a coherent whole.
In the evening, the interior turns into a theatre of light. Discreet recessed luminaires in the ceiling provide even, soft light, spotlights on the wall bring out the texture of the walls, and the impressive lamp above the dining table becomes a graphic accent – like a sculpture floating in space. This is complemented by lightweight curtains made from natural fabrics, which diffuse the sun’s rays during the day and sway to a blast of cooled air at night.
The forms of the furniture tell a story of delicacy and fluidity. This is particularly evident in the sofa, which, combined with the rounded edges of the tables or the rounded lines of the decoration, becomes an oasis of calm where every moment can be a celebration of the here and now.
The final, magical chord is the supple, sculptural column with its subtle silhouette of a woman, whose soft, organic lines evoke associations with water, sand and silk. During the day, her relief almost comes to life when exposed to the sun, while at night, gentle backlighting reveals the hidden depths of the form. This artistic touch has become the heart of the flat, reflecting the emotional pulse of the project.
design: Buzdayeva Zaure
photography: Damir Otegen
styling: Aigerim Akhmetova
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