Apartment 24 Residential Space

The basic idea regarding this design was to bring a new life to the Apartment 24. In doing so, the place of a great spatial potential was literally flooded with the natural light from the sky. Further, my choice of the applied finishing materials was inspired by the history of the dwelling that is elaborated example of postwar Yugoslav modern residential architecture, surrounded by trees. Walnut veneer, white oiled marine birch plywood and white cement terrazzo created “in situ”, all contributed to evoking the atmosphere of the 1970s nostalgia. The entire space is conceived like a large wooden box, where the above-mentioned materials take shape of handmade floorboards, staircase, wall paneling, functional divisions, pivoting panels, storage spaces and most of the furniture.

To clarify my aims about this project, it would be necessary to introduce you with the characteristics of the existing situation that I found at the site. It was a plan with surface of 97m2 that occupied the parts of both seventh and eighth floor of the residence that dealt with numerous problems: two levels were connected by very uncomfortable spiral staircase, bathrooms at both levels were without natural light and ventilation, a large part of the second level space under the roof didn’t have any purpose due to the insufficient height, the whole place had single orientation and the external walls along with the roof not properly insulated. Also, the first level was divided by walls in several places, without visual contact, neither between them nor with the upper level, so the general impression was of a more compact space.

In order to deal with all these serious disadvantages, but also to emphasize powerful points of the place, we had to apply radical approach, quite daring and unusual for the local circumstances: all the existing walls, easy assembly ceilings, concrete beams and wooden roof construction were removed from the space. The only remaining elements were walls that were defining the borders of the property. A new, leaner, more elegant metal construction was introduced, enabling us to create a more desirable plan for both levels, allowing them at the same time to penetrate each other.

Thus, retaining the existing volume, we succeeded to gain additional 13m2 of habitable surface and acceptable height of the second level walkway, which is the main connection between staircase and private area. Furthermore, thanks to the newly created eleven roof openings, every single space - public, private, or auxiliary has natural light and ventilation, while framing spatio- temporal viewing experience. In the center of the first level, a transitional, in- between space is established, a kind of a special place with greenery that functions both as an extension of the exterior, with open roof and façade door during the summer, as well as a part of the interior, closed and protected, in the winter. Another place with greenery and the light from the above is brought in front of both bathrooms, transforming them into sensational affair “per se”.

I would like to see it published in relevant architectural and interior design magazines.