"Renovating an apartment usually involves replacing or renovating installations, floors, walls and furniture. Sometimes there is an option to reorganize floorplan in order to achive a contemporary way of using the space. But in this case, we hade an opportunity to deal with an essence written in the walls od this appartement.

 

The apartment is located in Ljubljana. The block was built in the 70s, according to the principles of prefabricated concrete construction. The basic construction module was a concrete element with a width of 120 cm, with which all floor plans of the apartments are based.

Already in the initial stages of discussions with the investor, it became clear that a slightly different arrangement of premises would suit a young family living and working abroad in Ljubljana. Since the existing structure is thoughtfully designed, we were able to achieve a contemporary floor plan solution with minimal intervention. 

The central concept of the floor plan solution is based on a circular design. With this, we gained a sense of spaciousness and brightness, while at the same time the accessibility of all rooms and corners increased. Another idea of the floor plan solution deals with the understanding of space as fluid materia. Thus, individual rooms are not separated by walls, but the living space is understood as an area between individual larger volumes. In the apartement, these volumes are defined as furniture elements (cabinets, refrigerator, air conditioner...) or as an installation volume (vertical shaft, bathroom and kitchen).

As mentioned, the overall idea of the ambience comes from the building itself. The technical aspect of solving hairline cracks between modular concrete blocks dictated the idea of dilatation profiles, which indicate the raster of prefabricated elements in the interior of the apartment. In one part, the plaster of the wall even comes off completely, revealing the raw concrete with all its irregularities. In this case, the entire apartment takes on the role of a frame and presents the exposed concrete as a work of art.

The element of concrete can also be seen in the kitchen, where it plays the structural role of furniture elements. There was also a specially designed coffee table, which also uses the technical characteristics of the material for its simple form.

The furniture is designed as simply and ascetically as possible. At the same time, the uniform furniture represents a good background for individual exposed elements. A fantastic light above the dining table, a chair, switches and similar items get their focus and encourage the eye to start wandering around the room.

A clay lamp above the kitchen counter was also included in the lighting concept, which brings the possibility of contact with another natural material. The light is a handmade product of Studio Aino.

In addition to concrete and clay, the apartment also uses oak wood, which is responsible for a genuine warm and pleasant feeling. We also integrated glass bricks, which are really impressive pieces of material on their own. 

Apartment represents much more than what can be seen in the photos, because such a result can only be created with the truly exceptional trust of the investor, the architect and the contractors - in all possible relationships. Even the planning and implementation process itself is a pleasant journey when people join the project with the desire for producing a high-quality, useful and beautiful product.

 

Architects: Urša Križman, Luka Fabjan

Year: 2022

Area: 45 m2

Investor: Zasebni

Photographs: Ana Skobe

Light fixtures: Urša Križman, Sense of design

​