Located in the Łazarz district of Poznań, Poland, LJM Apartments reimagines a 150-square-metre interior within a 1904 Art Nouveau building. The building was originally designed by Paul Pitt for brick factory owner Otto Fechner. Once divided into two long-abandoned units, KIN KUNI has reorganised the apartment into three independent homes. The project demonstrates how historic residential fabric can be adapted to contemporary living standards through repair, reuse, and material continuity.
Plan before the new subdivision
Plan of the new subdivision
Working within a historic framework
The tenement building forms part of Poznań’s late 19th- and early 20th-century urban fabric, characterised by plaster ornamentation, coved ceiling transitions, and herringbone flooring. Prior to renovation, the interior contained unstable partitions and fragmented decorative elements. Rather than introducing a contrasting architectural language, the design strategy focuses on restoring the original proportions and spatial hierarchy.
Decorative plasterwork was repaired and ceiling curvature preserved to maintain the integrity of the historic interior. New partitions were inserted with restraint, allowing the original rhythm of rooms and circulation to remain legible. The subdivision into three apartments responds to contemporary living patterns while maintaining continuity with the building’s heritage.
Long-term living and spatial adaptation
Three autonomous units share the historic footprint, ensuring proximity without compromising privacy. One apartment includes an open-plan living area adaptable for both daily use and dance practice, demonstrating how historic interiors can accommodate evolving lifestyles.
Spatial challenges, including limited daylight and an irregular floor plan, became opportunities for sustainable intervention. Mirrored cabinet fronts were positioned opposite a semi-circular window to reflect daylight deeper into the interior. An unused wall opening was repurposed as a shower niche, minimising structural intervention and material waste. Layered lighting strategies enhance flexibility, allowing occupants to adjust illumination according to function and time of day.
Material continuity and performance
Sustainability in LJM Apartments is rooted in material retention and durability. Existing architectural elements were restored wherever possible, reducing construction waste and preserving embodied carbon. Where replacement was necessary, materials were selected for longevity and thermal performance.
New wooden windows, manufactured by Sobański, replicate the original profiles while meeting current energy standards. Flooring was specified as natural wood parquet from Scheucher Parkett, chosen for its durability and capacity for multiple refinishing cycles, extending its life span.
Mineral wool insulation was introduced to improve thermal comfort and energy efficiency without compromising historic character. The palette of linen, wood, marble, steel, and ceramics reflects muted tones aligned with the original architecture while emphasising tactile, natural materials.
Craft, reuse, and local production
Historic furniture pieces were restored and reupholstered by local craftsmen, and original wooden doors were refurbished. Custom-built joinery was produced by local workshops, reducing transportation emissions and supporting regional skills.
A significant portion of loose furniture and lighting was sourced from second-hand markets, extending the lifecycle of existing objects and limiting new production demand. This layered approach integrates antique and contemporary elements without visual conflict.
