APARTMENT M
Status: built, 2023
Location: Smolyan, Bulgaria
Design: Atelier IA, Maria Mihailova
Visualizations: Maria Mihailova
Photography: Aleksandar Novoselski
Status: built, 2023
Location: Smolyan, Bulgaria
Design: Atelier IA, Maria Mihailova
Visualizations: Maria Mihailova
Photography: Aleksandar Novoselski
Publication on Leibal
Apartment M is a project inspired by the environment in which it is situated – in the heart of the Rhodope Mountains. It is located on the top floor of a modern residential building covering an area of 380 m². Three apartments have been merged into one spacious dwelling where the spaces are organically interconnected. Visual axes have been created, allowing the gaze to encompass the space to the fullest – from the eastern to the western façade and southward, toward the mountains.
The concept behind this project is based on the intention to convey a certain atmosphere and feeling, inspired by traditional Rhodope architecture, while translating them into the contemporary context. On one hand, this is achieved spatially through large common areas like the foyer, salon (vestibule) with a fireplace, living room with dining area and kitchen. On the other hand, this is achieved through textures and materials.
The materials are carefully chosen and natural – solid wooden doors and windows are crafted by local artisans, walls and ceilings are finished with a fine plaster, natural parquet and stone, which are sourced and processed in the Rhodope Mountains, are laid on the floors, and sinks and the kitchen are made of quartzite. The metal, that is present in the interior is copper, which naturally patinates over time.
The materials are carefully chosen and natural – solid wooden doors and windows are crafted by local artisans, walls and ceilings are finished with a fine plaster, natural parquet and stone, which are sourced and processed in the Rhodope Mountains, are laid on the floors, and sinks and the kitchen are made of quartzite. The metal, that is present in the interior is copper, which naturally patinates over time.
The lighting is soft, delicate, and unintrusive. Some lighting fixtures, such as illuminated niches in the wall, echo the natural illumination and ventilation found in Bulgarian Renaissance architecture. Objects and textiles within the interior support the pursued concept and are characteristic of the region. Placed in a modern context and taken out of their agricultural context, their tactile and visual impact is heightened – they act like raw sculptures bridging the past and the present.
In the project, historical and contemporary layers are combined within one structure, where history is emphasized through lighting, objects, and materials. This contrast breathes life into the contemporary minimalist interior, adding depth and creating a narrative that tells the story of both the richness of the past and the elegance of the present.
