Modern apartment in an old house
Mikhail Loskutov

Modern apartment in an old house

Blockstudio as Architects

Natalyia and Ivan Trofimov have designed a flat in an early 20th century apartment block and shared their views on how to make a classic interior modern and relevant.

photo_credit Mikhail Loskutov
Mikhail Loskutov
photo_credit Mikhail Loskutov
Mikhail Loskutov

The clients contacted the Blockstudio architects while they were still looking at available options. “That’s an ideal moment,” say both Natalyia and Ivan simultaneously. “Apart from the obvious pros and cons, any space has hidden issues and opportunities that only an architect can detect.”

photo_credit Mikhail Loskutov
Mikhail Loskutov
photo_credit Mikhail Loskutov
Mikhail Loskutov

Among the flat’s obvious advantages were its size (203 sq. m), very high ceilings (4.3 m) and 13 windows. But most importantly the flat lent itself to a complete redesign that allowed the architects to let natural light into all the rooms – from the bathroom to the entrance hall. Sunlight penetrating the farthest corners of a flat through fanlight, borrowed light and glass partitions marks out Blockstudio’s style, as does enfilade design. The sitting room, dining room and study are located on one axis, while the private rooms are accessible through a hall with a grand portal with swing doors. “When designing this structure, we had a mental picture of a classic wooden screen – elegant, light, yet very functional,” says Natalyia. “Hanging oak panels that could be easily removed when it is necessary to clean the glass or to make the structure even more transparent fold the glazing of the doors.”

photo_credit Mikhail Loskutov
Mikhail Loskutov
photo_credit Mikhail Loskutov
Mikhail Loskutov

“While the basic design revolves around classic architectural approaches, we used contrasting details to set it off,” says Ivan. “For example, we used laconic curved gypsum plaster cornices to form a dome-like space and a simple fireplace mantel made of natural stone creates a sense of rhythm owing to its wavy trim. A minimalistic kitchen practically blends with the wall, and to re-enforce the image, the exhaust hood is built into a box with a moulded cornice decorated by a panel of an aged mirror and metal to create an illusion of lightness.” “That is our first project with practically no built-in lighting and so many chandeliers,” continues Natalyia. “There are angle lamps only in the library to highlight art. The rest are pendant lights, sconces and floor lamps – the decision prompted by the high ceilings. We chose each light as an art object, just as we did when selecting furniture, décor, modern art and even a cat bed. By the way, talking of cats – while the construction was in progress, we provided for special cat trap doors in the walls and a cat’s ‘personal lavatory’. That is also important as true luxury lies in the details.”

photo_credit Mikhail Loskutov
Mikhail Loskutov
photo_credit Mikhail Loskutov
Mikhail Loskutov

Team:

Architecture Firm: Blockstudio

Architects: Natalia and Ivan Trofimov

Photographer: Mikhail Loskutov 

photo_credit Mikhail Loskutov
Mikhail Loskutov
photo_credit Mikhail Loskutov
Mikhail Loskutov

Materials Used:

Cabinet:

Tech.light Delta light

Shelves USM

Near chimney are vases by Bolia, GK Concept

Near table are vases by Lisa Fedotova, LF Ceramics and sculptures by Anna Gracheva, Leto Ceramic and Sklo, GK Concept

Table Time and style

Table lamp 

Ceiling lamp ClassiCon

Chair Overgaard & Dyrman

Piano Steinway

Panel 

Wall lamps 

White armchair Ribbon, Artifort, GK Concept

Table Hay, GK Concept

Photo on the wall by Alexey Narodizkiy

Sitting room:

Lamp INGO MAURER Flying Disc

Table Tre Sekel, Artilleriet

Chairs Finn Juhl

Celling lamp Tokio Carbon Light

Table Zanotta, Giro

Black table, Ethnicraft, L'Appartment

Comode Cappelini, Luxor

 Wall lamps Roll & Hill, Eclipse Sconce

Armchairs Cassina

Sofa Edra

Black console Jordanartisan, Design dealer

Picture on the wall (red) by Natalia Zanchevskaya

Picture on the wall (white) by Alexey Dubinsky, Art Sample

Carpet CC-tapis

Kitchen:

Bulthaup

Lamp Flos, Noctambule Suspension

Chairs Fredericia

Lamps Atelier Areti

Vases by Ferm Living, GK Concept

Radiators Viadrus Kalor

Mirror designed by Blockstudio

Master bedroom:

Textiles Ateliertati

Celling lamp Vistosi

Table lamp &Tradition, GK Concept

Sconce Marset

On the dressing table is a sculpture by Lev Yefimov.

Chair Overgaard & Dyrman

Table Glasitalia

Bathroom

Lamp Lasvit

Wall lamps Michael Anastassiades

Corridor:

Bench Massproductions

Mirror Glasitalia

Commode Time & style Factory, Amsterdam

Wall lamp Michael Anastassiades

Lamp Karakter – Copenhagen

Lamp Catellanismith

Ceiling lamp @brodach_selection

Photo on the wall by Trofimov Ivan, Blockstudio

Hall:

Lamp Flos

Bathroom:

Vases by Lisa Fedotova, LF Ceramics

Room with stairs:

Vase by Bagarata Ceramics near the window

Bench Massproductions

Lamp

photo_credit Mikhail Loskutov
Mikhail Loskutov
Caption

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