The investor’s brief was to furnish a tiny 20 m² unit intended for short-term rentals. The resulting design was to be simple, durable and financially balanced, yet at the same time bring a calm, appealing atmosphere into the historic space with its vaulted ceiling.

An important parameter was to build on the historic and at times subtly contrasting concept of the building’s renovation. Since we as a studio took part in the renovation, we knew exactly what context the apartment would be entering. The challenge was the modest budget, which did not allow us to continue using the premium materials applied in the common areas.

Instead of making compromises, we chose to work consciously with “high–low” combinations. We followed up on the patinated brass sheets used in the common areas with laminated boards featuring a subtle metallic effect in a champagne shade for the apartment interior. The material is affordable, yet in its expression it refers to more noble precedents and naturally communicates with them.

It complements the existing oak chevron parquet flooring and the bathroom cladding made of natural travertine. In this way, the noble materials are given room to radiate their energy undisturbed, while the more economical elements quietly support them – without pushing themselves into the foreground.

Another challenge was the minimal floor area on which all the essential functions of the apartment had to take place. The entrance wardrobe, fully equipped kitchen with fridge, oven and dishwasher, dining area, bedroom with wardrobe and TV wall all had to fit into 18.3 m². The bathroom with toilet, shower and washbasin, designed earlier as part of the development project, occupies just 2.5 m² – here too, the limitations were dictated by the shape of the vault.

We arrived at a fully fledged spatial solution by combining functions and working precisely with the volume of the furniture. The raised headboard gives the double bed a majestic character and becomes the central element of the interior. At the same time, it conceals a wardrobe for two guests – with space for luggage, hanging rails and small drawers. The entrance wardrobe is then used for coats and shoes.

Here again, we linked the wardrobe function with the TV wall, which simultaneously hides storage spaces from view and visually calms the entire room. A limitation was the vaulted ceiling, whose arch transitions into the vertical walls quite low above the floor – placing standard tall furniture against the wall simply did not work here. The shaping of the furniture blocks therefore follows the curve of the vault in their upper part, which makes it possible to use the space down to the last centimetre while preserving the harmony of the lines.

The furniture construction also had to locally respond to the outlets of the heat recovery ventilation unit, which ensures a stable climate and removes moisture. These technical elements were likewise integrated into the built in furniture so that they do not steal valuable centimetres or disturb the calm expression of the interior.

This quiet apartment shows that even on a floor area of 20 m² and with a budget that scrutinises every detail, it is possible to create a fully fledged, “grown up” home – not an emergency solution. A combination of a well considered layout, “tuned” functional units and smart use of accessible materials has made it possible to create a space that is economical in expenditure yet generous in everyday use.

Team:

Architects: Tunicate

Author: Jan Roučka

Design team: Anna Linhartová, Katarína Varsová

Photographer: BoysPlayNice

Materials Used:
travertine – bathroom wall and floor tiling, as per developer’s standard
solid oiled oak parquet – chevron – flooring, as per developer’s standard
Egger Cleaf Idea laminate – bespoke furniture, author’s design
black metal – accessories, fittings and lamps
brass – door handles, window handles, main lighting

Custom joinery, supply of lighting, standard elements and accessories: LKT Bohemia

Technical construction supervision: Zdeněk Slavíček

Bathroom mist film: SPYRON

Curtains and blinds: Styltex

Electrical fittings supplier: Monobrand

Agorà radiators — Tubes
taps — Bongio
Artis washbasin — Villeroy & Boch
TECEone toilet with bidet function — TECE
R.3 electrical fittings — Berker
The Frame TV — Samsung
Unroll Wall Hanger — two hundred tons