In the very center of Katowice, a stone's throw from the archcathedral, there is a three-story tenement house from 1900, and a spacious apartment by architect Paulina Kostyra-Dzierżęga. It is dominated by design simplicity, thanks to which the interior is modern and functional. Here we can find only necessary equipment and decorations limited to a minimum.
Entering the apartment, we notice three dominant elements: white, gray and wood. Subdued colors create a minimalist, harmonious interior, full of space and light. The main idea of the project was to create a cozy, friendly living space, which will be the background for various scenarios of its use.
Thanks to large windows facing east and west, there is always plenty of light in the apartment
photo: Barbara Adamek © Paulina Kostyra-Dzierżęga
clear division of space
Owners Paulina and Jarek bought the apartment when the developer began a major renovation of a Katowice apartment building. This allowed them to combine two units into one, with 110 square meters of space facing east and west. The functional layout was clear to them from the beginning. They knew which part of the empty space would be the living area and which would be the private area. They just had to find a way to functionally separate them. There were only three walls in the entire interior, which the architect took advantage of. She placed the laundry room between them, and located capacious closets on their sides. From this combination, a cubicle organizing the entire space was created, which can be walked around. Set in the center of the apartment, it separates the living area from the host's bathroom, both bedrooms and the study. The cube separates the parts not only visually, but also acoustically, muffling the sound of traffic.
The floor plan of the apartment, in the center a cubicle organizing the space
© Paulina Kostyra-Dzierżęga
The living area is open, spacious and bright. Comfortable for the residents, but also conducive to gatherings with friends and family. An open kitchen, a large table occupying a central place in the living room and a comfortable seating area are its most important elements. The night part, on the other hand, is more tucked away and private. Thanks to this division, the apartment is functional and easy to maintain order in it. Everything has its place and is hidden behind a visual barrier.
The colors in the interior are based on a palette of white and gray, enlivened by natural wood
Photo: Barbara Adamek © Paulina Kostyra-Dzierżęga
harmony and light
The apartment is spacious and very well lit thanks to huge windows overlooking the city. The impression of spaciousness is enhanced by bright colors and simplicity of the arrangement. The owners wanted an apartment with a modern interior, decorated with consistency and moderation and a consistent style. Therefore, the architect decided on decorations reduced to a minimum, equipment only necessary and of ascetic form, and colors based on a palette of white and gray, enlivened by natural wood. The same shades and materials are repeated in all rooms. The floor throughout the apartment is panels imitating maple, and stoneware was laid at the entrance, in the kitchen and bathroom. Wood brings natural warmth to the white interior. It can be found in the form of clocks in a wooden case, a sculpture depicting St. Barbara, wooden picture frames, or lamp booms in the bedroom.
Radiators placed between the windows create a subtle decor
Photo: Barbara Adamek © Paulina Kostyra-Dzierżęga
The largest area is occupied by the living room with kitchen. It was designed to accommodate a large family and friends, and the spacious kitchen with a raised island is an integral part of it. A detail that one mostly wants to hide in an apartment is the radiators. In the Katowice apartment it was not possible to set up underfloor heating, and the large volume precluded the use of small radiators. Therefore, the architect decided to use VASCO Niva large area radiators in the living room. They were chosen to match the spacious windows and their color scheme to the wall tones. Placed along the windows, they create a subtle decor. In the bedroom and bathroom, Paulina opted for Carre and Flatline models.
The use of radiators brought the architect success. The apartment she designed for herself and her husband was awarded the second prize in the category of completed projects in the 9th edition of the VASCO Integration Competition. The jury appreciated the project primarily for its functionality, modern character and consistent, coherent design.
