Modern apartment in an old house

Mikhail Loskutov

• Architects

Applied products

Giro Zanotta

109 Chair One Collection

Noctambule Suspension Flos

Tech specification Noctambule Suspension 0.14 MB

Ribbon Artifort

Technical_sheet_Ribbon_EN.pdf 0.3 MB

109 Chair House of Finn Juhl

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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

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.”

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.”

“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.”