Lantern Apartment in a Panel House is a complete transformation of a typical socialist-era flat in the Czech Republic. Designed by hurá studio for a young couple unafraid of bold change, the renovation turns a dark, compartmentalized apartment into a bright, connected home filled with natural light. The project celebrates simplicity, spatial logic, and a human touch—proving that even the most ordinary panel building can hold surprising warmth and light.
“There are two options: invasive and non-invasive.”
That’s how the architects began their first meeting with the clients. The couple chose the braver path—the “invasive” one. Thanks to that decision, the design could go deep, reshaping not only the layout but the very atmosphere of the space.
The original flat was nearly untouched since the 1980s: four separate rooms, a prefabricated, walk - through bathroom core and a worn-out kitchen. The daily route from the bedroom to the living room led straight across the entrance mat. After consulting a structural engineer, several partitions were removed, and the new layout was reorganized into clear functional zones. The entrance hall was separated, and the main circulation shifted to the center of the apartment.
This move opened up new sightlines and allowed natural light to reach deep into the heart of the flat. At that very center, the architects designed a bathroom made out of glass blocks. During the day, no artificial lighting is needed; at night, the space glows like a soft lantern, gently illuminating the apartment with warm, diffuse light—a moment of quiet poetry in an otherwise standard panel house.
The original solid wall between the kitchen and living room was replaced with a light, transparent shelving structure with two openings. The result keeps the zones functionally distinct yet visually and spatially connected.
Another subtle but powerful gesture: full-height doors without top frames. When opened, they allow the apartment to be seen through from end to end, making the space feel higher, brighter, and more generous.
The material palette remains simple and honest—pale pink-tinted marmoleum flooring, birch plywood, and white surfaces. A layer of playfulness emerges through color accents: green grout in white tiles echoes the steel shelving frame, while the bedroom is anchored by a pink plywood wall behind the bed. The clients added their own personal touch with 3D-printed colorful details, making the interior distinctly theirs.
This personal layer gives the apartment its authentic and vibrant character. The spirit of the original panel house remains visible, yet the home feels open, natural, and alive—quietly glowing with its own new light.
