Ratomska
Year: 2021
Size: 90 sq.m.
Architect: Kanstantsin Remez
Location: Minsk, Belarus
An apartment in a newly-built block of flats feels warm and cozy. The design combines austere straight objects made of limestone and a warm wooden finish of floor, walls, and ceiling. The apartment is divided into the following functional areas: a hall with a walk-in closet, a guest bathroom, a kitchen combined with a living room, a balcony with a small dining area, and a master bedroom with an ensuite.
The high ceiling is emphasized by a large cornice with a simple geometric pattern corresponding to the rest of the interior. The cornice has an aesthetic function: it conceals the window and door lintels, turning openings into portals. The best example is the door opening leading to the enclosed balcony. Due to the cornice, the balcony feels as a part of the united space, but not a separate zone. The kitchen consists of a kitchen island, a cooking area with a large sink, and wooden panels which hide cupboards and all kitchen appliances. The kitchen island combines two volumes. The first one is used as an additional cooking area and a space for taking meals. The second one is higher and visually separates the living room from an induction stove with a built-in range hood. The living room consists of several armchairs, chairs, and a bench. There is no TV set here. Instead there is a two-volume wall composition. The space seems more friendly to reading and table games. A part of the furniture is made in the XXth century, creating additional contrast between the old and the new. The bedroom has an open space plan. The washstand and shower have no partitions: they are visually separated from the bedroom by a wardrobe. There is a reading corner with a large comfortable armchair in the bedroom. The whole space is made of wood, making it warm and cozy.
The apartment is located in a block of flats, and most of the windows face other windows. Instead of curtains, there are panels consisting of wooden frames and translucent cloth. The panels are fixed in the openings but can be easily removed, if necessary. The panels make the design clearer and create a secure atmosphere of abstracting from the cityscape and concentrating on the intimate.
