New World Apartment by Architekti Mikulaj & Mikulajova
New World Apartment is an inspiring modern home located in Bratislava, Slovakia, redesigned in 2020 by Architekti Mikulaj & Mikulajova.
Description
It is not only the panoramatic view over the city of Bratislava that makes this spacious flat in an apartment house from the seventies so extraordinary. Situated in the best residential area of Bratislava, close to Slavin and Horsky park, the outstanding qualities of this flat were obvious already before the renovation. A smart layout plan, orientation of the spaces to the garden, two spatial loggias as well as an open fireplace in the living room are just some of the aspects that make living here so special.
The architects were fully aware of the original qualities of this apartment when designing its renovation. They showed respect and effort to preserve the extraordinary atmosphere of the flat as well as tendency to follow up on it.
Since the original layout of the apartment met current needs, the architects focused on the details. There was an effort to use the original materials, or those that correspond to modern architecture, as can be seen already in the entrance area.
This space is dominated by an oak wood box which is not only a compositional, but mainly a functional element that decently hides both the bathroom and practical storage spaces. By removing the original wall that separated the kitchen from the hallway, the architects achieved a more generous expression of the spaces which are now open and full of daylight. The smoothness is visually multiplied by the new terrazzo floor, which passes from the entrance area without interruption to the kitchen, where the material of the same oak wood appears again.
The living room is separated from the kitchen by an originally sized door opening with double-leaf doors that ensure sufficient connection between these spaces – as the room has a large dining table – but at the same time they are physically separated. The room, facing the garden, is lined along by a spatious loggia on the side. On the opposite wall, there is a new built-in library, which, together with the original fireplace, creates two central elements of the living room. The pleasant atmosphere is supported by the original brick cladding of the open fireplace and refurbished oak mosaic parquet, typical for the period of the seventies. Also in the other zones of the apartment, the architects follow them with a new mosaic oak tile, creating, together with the terrazzo, the concrete floor and the original glas mosaic in the bathroom, a collage of layers that document the history of this apartment with a certain patina.
The living room is the central part of the flat, from which the more private area of the apartment can be reached. The southern oriented private part consists of two bedrooms and its services. It is lined along by the second loggia, offering a splendid view over the city of Bratislava and the Castle hill.
New, tailor-made furniture elements have a common character throughout the whole apartment – natural oak wood, similar height up to the ceiling of the space, the same design of the handrails are being repeated. The architects thoughtfully combine them with older design pieces – such as refurbished Thonet armchairs in the living room, a historical wardrobe in the bedroom, or a chandelier in the children’s room, which both convince that architects are not afraid to combine elements of different eras and thus evoke the feeling that the apartment is not only timeless, but will be able to age with dignity.
Photography by Filip Slapal
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- by Matt Watts
