At first glance this apartment may seem entirely unremarkable: minimalism in neutral tones with yellow accents — yet things are not quite as straightforward as they appear.
"I know this is going to be a wonderful place," said Maciej Kawecki, owner of Brandburg Studio & Home.
"I know this is going to be a wonderful place" (Eng. "I knew that this would be a perfect place!"), said Maciej Kawecki, owner of Brandburg Studio & Home, when he commissioned his friends at mode:lina studio to design the space. It was no easy brief: the designers faced the challenge of creating a multifunctional working environment — a studio — as well as a home to live in, all within just thirty-eight square metres.
On top of that, they needed to keep in mind a private hideaway for Maciej's six-year-old son.
Finally, the owner wanted the apartment to look professional enough to host business meetings and extended creative workshops. After hours, it was to transition seamlessly into a calm domestic space capable of meeting the needs of both a designer and his son.
White walls, a composition of artworks above the sofa, vivid accents, the use of natural materials and all the remaining décor speak the language of Scandinavian minimalism — a logical choice for such a compact space.
Along one side of the room stands a distinctive box-like structure built from OSB panels, which proved to be the ideal solution. It accommodates the kitchen, bedroom, office and a hidden room for the child. To reveal something of the materials' natural character, some of the panels were left unpainted, creating a pleasing contrast in the process. The most striking feature is a sliding shelf positioned behind the desk. This shelf doubles as a door to the child's hidden room — a solution that feels both inventive and delightful. The rest of the space remains open and free for professional use. The meeting table can easily serve as a dining table in the evenings.
Above is the sleeping area — reached by a simple ladder, nothing out of the ordinary.
The opposite side of the space functions as a flexible office environment, ideally suited for meetings and workshops. Black and yellow — the colours of Maciej's company — reappear throughout the studio. The long white wall is where the owner's beloved bicycle hangs, finished in his signature brand colours.
In this way, mode:lina studio found an excellent solution to the task at hand. What appeared to be a small space, through thoughtful organisation, came to serve the function of not only a home but also a studio.
You may also wish to read our feature on the functional micro-studio by Studiomama.
