White Flat
Architects: Khrystyna Badzyan, Dmytro Sorokevych, Andriy Zvirko, Mykhailo Chyzhovskyy
Location: Lviv, Ukraine
Project area: 59 sq. m.
Photo credits: Andriy Bezuglov
ABOUT PROJECT
Minimalistic and functionalist solutions as well as spatial dialogue between the flat and the street made this apartment more spacious. Absolute minimalism and our signature experiments with natural and artificial lights were the core elements guiding the Replus bureau team. Everything in this small apartment had to serve the idea of good spatial zoning in order to provide as much functional space as possible.
DESIGN
As for the space, we slightly shifted our priorities and made replanning. Where there was a bedroom with two windows there is now a living room. A kitchen without windows was turned into a bedroom. To let as much light as possible in, we put a room divider with a gap under the ceiling and used white semi-transparent glass bricks in the middle.
We did not use ceiling light fittings. We broke this rule only in the toilet room. An untouched ceiling allows to fully reveal the idea of minimalism and experiment with reflected lighting.
We did not use ceiling light fittings. We broke this rule only in the toilet room. An untouched ceiling allows to fully reveal the idea of minimalism and experiment with reflected lighting.
The living room is small. To add extra comfort, we made a special step by raising the floor while keeping the previous level in the kitchen.
We emphasised a custom kitchen island. It provides the functionality of the kitchen. A cupboard with sliding doors where you can store your appliances and utensils opens into two zones. The first is for cooking while the second area is public with free access to books and decor.
In the bedroom, we also added a step such as in the living room. A cantilevered bed was placed on it. We did the same in the children’s room adding soft inserts under the step.
The whole apartment is completely minimalistic. Therefore, we did not use either tiles or glass in the bathroom and in the toilet room. Only paint serves as a covering. If you follow the Replus projects, you may have noticed this move before.
The mirror in the bathroom has a heating system that prevents it from turning misty while taking shower. So does the wall with hooks for towels. That is why we did not need a towel warmer. To get your clothing in a laundry bin, it is enough to open the door situated next to the toilet and throw it there. There is a washing and drying machines area behind the wall where you can access these clothes.
The mirror in the bathroom has a heating system that prevents it from turning misty while taking shower. So does the wall with hooks for towels. That is why we did not need a towel warmer. To get your clothing in a laundry bin, it is enough to open the door situated next to the toilet and throw it there. There is a washing and drying machines area behind the wall where you can access these clothes.
At first glance, the apartment is quite simple. However, everything is well planned. Carefully thought-out integrations of bathrooms, cupboards and kitchens were an effective solution. The rooms have air conditioning system with incoming fresh air.
This was an advantage for the homeowners, “We lived both in a house and in apartments. For us, a simple and organic connection between the room and the street as a whole is important. People in Ukraine do not like balconies. In this apartment, we had a chance to get everything we needed thanks to the terrace. The Replus architects proposed an excellent spatial solution that allowed more outdoor space to be let in which enhanced the whole effect.”
