Plus One Architects: The apartment is located on the top floor of an apartment building, built in the early 20th century. The ceilings are high and the windows are mullioned. These apartments have their charm, but often have unsuitable layouts for today's use.
The owners wished to create an airy and spacious living area where they would be able to gather comfortably. At the same time, the challenge was to create smaller private corners for all members of the household. We searched for the layout for a long time, a large number of variations were created, but through a long and persistent process, we arrived at a final version that pleased both the owners and us.
Only the load-bearing walls remain from the original layout, but even these have not escaped several interventions. From the entrance, the living space spills over the entire layout and can easily be enlarged and extended to include a bedroom/office. The latter is through on two sides, with curtains around the perimeter to ensure intimacy. The other half of the apartment belongs to the children's room and bathroom. The floor space of the children's room is not entirely generous, but this disadvantage is sufficiently compensated by the sleeping floor hidden above the closet. The window by the bed serves for better air circulation but also for communication with other family members "downstairs". The bathroom is minimalistic, and wildly punctured to accommodate everything needed for a young family.
A slight surprise upon entering the apartment may be the complete absence of overhead lights - the only exception being the chandelier above the dining table. All other lights are incorporated into the furniture, the light source is not visible and its intensity is adjusted to the time of day or night. The lighting, so often underestimated in this apartment, has been chosen with great sensitivity, with great initiative by the owners, and the resulting atmosphere is pleasant in every season and time of day.
About studio / author
The Plus One Architects studio was founded in 2019 by architects Kateřina Průchová and Petra Ciencialová. It is based in Prague but designs projects throughout the Czech Republic. Assignments and experience gradually grow from interior design for private clients to public buildings and larger investors. The approach is most characterized by moderation and respect for the task, the place and the client.
