Iron Interior Space and Exhibition Design · 2020
Apartment 24 Residential Space
- A' Design Award 2020 Iron Winner in Interior Space and Exhibition Design
- Awarded April 15, 2020
- CLIENT: Ivana Lukovic
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 15,464
- Verification code 540668E46F · Verify this award
About Apartment 24 Residential Space
Reconstruction of the Apartment 24 happened in Belgrade Seventies dwelling. The approach applied brought a new breath of life to the memories-filled space. A more desirable overall transparency of space and appropriate height of the upper level were achieved. Light wells were introduced to allow natural light and ventilation in the entire place. At the entrance level, two double-height transitional spaces were created. They present green areas where the light from above enhance the texture of chosen materials.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Apartment 24 is situated in the central Belgrade, postwar Yugoslav modern residential architecture dwelling from the 1970s. Thanks to the thorough reconstruction approach, which included a brand new metal construction, memories-filled space got a new life. Overall transparency of space and appropriate height of the upper level are achieved. Eleven light wells and two double-height transitional spaces are created as distinct areas with greenery and light from above, enhancing the beauty of implemented materials.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Metal construction is introduced and attached to concrete columns and perimeter walls, thus creating a new construction system that enables habitable surface to be increased from 97m2 to 110m2. Roof, facade windows and balcony doors are triple glazed. Mineral wool insulation is concealed under the wooden panels in the roof and facade walls. All cables and wires are halogen-free, facilitating the highest fire protection. The city heating system is employed, which runs on the natural gas with radiators of high technical and esthetic values.
- Tags
- natural light , transparency , wooden box, interior garden , bespoke , multidisciplinary
- Production Technology
- All wooden elements were designed by Architect, produced in joinery workshop in Athens, Greece and then transported to the site where the assembling was done. White cement terrazzo was created by local craftsmen on the site and applied on the floor in front of the main entrance, as a dialogue with Seventies staircase, but also on both bathroom floors, dining area, balcony, greenery pots and washing basin for the upper level bathroom.
- Design Challenge
- The real potential of the space was recognized in the conventional layout and transformed into something contemporary and functional. The adopted strategy was quite daring. However, only by introducing a new, metal construction, additional 13m2 of habitable space and appropriate height of the second level could have been gained, without violating the existing volume and borders of the property. The execution of the project was taking place in the dense urban tissue on the seventh and eighth floor, and the challenges involved tenants of the dwelling, as well as technical and bureaucratic issues.
- Project Duration
- Project started in May 2017 in Belgrade and was finished in September 2018 in Belgrade, Serbia
- Operation Flow
- Apartment 24 used to belong to Architect's late parents and the best way to deal with their departure was to transform the space filled with fond memories into something contemporary, functional and beautiful. This decision placed her in the exciting position, in which she had to play both role of a Client and an Architect as well. The implementation of the project inspired all involved in the process, creating enthusiastic atmosphere on the site. Completed space became a more sustainable retreat that involves all senses and brings serenity to the users and visitors.
- Research
- This project is twofold: it focuses on architectural qualities in parallel with the social ones. Namely, it was coordinated in three languages and supported by a number of dedicated professionals from various construction fields and several countries. It was their enthusiasm, international expertise and human qualities that made the realization joyful and possible.
- Inspiration
- Inspiration for the used finishing materials was drawn from the history of the dwelling itself and was all about Seventies nostalgia: walnut veneer, white oiled marine birch plywood and white cement terrazzo created "in situ", evoke altogether atmosphere of that time. These three materials, together with natural light that has its strong presence during the whole day, enabled the Architect to achieve a serene, contemplative mood in the contemporary space.
- Image Credits
- Image#1: Photographer Dusan Djordjevic, View towards special place with greenery, 2019.
Image#2: Photographer Dusan Djordjevic, View towards bespoke staircase, 2019.
Image#3:Photographer Dusan Djordjevic, View of the first level bathroom, 2019.
Image#4: Photographer Dusan Djordjevic, View of the special place with greenery from above, 2019.
Image#5: Photographer Dusan Djordjevic, View of the kitchen with light well, 2019.
Video: Director of photography Aleksandar Jovanovic,
Apartment 24, 2019.
Video montage and sound: Cinematographer Milorad Glusica, Apartment 24, 2019.
Colors of Apartment 24 Residential Space
Design Interview about Apartment 24 Residential Space
The basic idea regarding this design was to bring a new life to the Apartment 24. In doing so, the place of a great spatial potential was literally flooded with the natural light from the sky. Further, my choice of the applied finishing materials was inspired by the history of the dwelling that is elaborated example of postwar Yugoslav modern residential architecture, surrounded by trees. Walnut veneer, white oiled marine birch plywood and white cement terrazzo created “in situ”, all contributed to evoking the atmosphere of the 1970s nostalgia. The entire space is conceived like a large wooden box, where the above-mentioned materials take shape of handmade floorboards, staircase, wall paneling, functional divisions, pivoting panels, storage spaces and most of the furniture.
To clarify my aims about this project, it would be necessary to introduce you with the characteristics of the existing situation that I found at the site. It was a plan with surface of 97m2 that occupied the parts of both seventh and eighth floor of the residence that dealt with numerous problems: two levels were connected by very uncomfortable spiral staircase, bathrooms at both levels were without natural light and ventilation, a large part of the second level space under the roof didn’t have any purpose due to the insufficient height, the whole place had single orientation and the external walls along with the roof not properly insulated. Also, the first level was divided by walls in several places, without visual contact, neither between them nor with the upper level, so the general impression was of a more compact space.
In order to deal with all these serious disadvantages, but also to emphasize powerful points of the place, we had to apply radical approach, quite daring and unusual for the local circumstances: all the existing walls, easy assembly ceilings, concrete beams and wooden roof construction were removed from the space. The only remaining elements were walls that were defining the borders of the property. A new, leaner, more elegant metal construction was introduced, enabling us to create a more desirable plan for both levels, allowing them at the same time to penetrate each other.
Thus, retaining the existing volume, we succeeded to gain additional 13m2 of habitable surface and acceptable height of the second level walkway, which is the main connection between staircase and private area. Furthermore, thanks to the newly created eleven roof openings, every single space - public, private, or auxiliary has natural light and ventilation, while framing spatio- temporal viewing experience. In the center of the first level, a transitional, in- between space is established, a kind of a special place with greenery that functions both as an extension of the exterior, with open roof and façade door during the summer, as well as a part of the interior, closed and protected, in the winter. Another place with greenery and the light from the above is brought in front of both bathrooms, transforming them into sensational affair “per se”.
In order to deal with all these serious disadvantages, but also to emphasize powerful points of the place, we had to apply radical approach, quite daring and unusual for the local circumstances: all the existing walls, easy assembly ceilings, concrete beams and wooden roof construction were removed from the space. The only remaining elements were walls that were defining the borders of the property. A new, leaner, more elegant metal construction was introduced, enabling us to create a more desirable plan for both levels, allowing them at the same time to penetrate each other.
Thus, retaining the existing volume, we succeeded to gain additional 13m2 of habitable surface and acceptable height of the second level walkway, which is the main connection between staircase and private area. Furthermore, thanks to the newly created eleven roof openings, every single space - public, private, or auxiliary has natural light and ventilation, while framing spatio- temporal viewing experience. In the center of the first level, a transitional, in- between space is established, a kind of a special place with greenery that functions both as an extension of the exterior, with open roof and façade door during the summer, as well as a part of the interior, closed and protected, in the winter. Another place with greenery and the light from the above is brought in front of both bathrooms, transforming them into sensational affair “per se”.
I would like to see it published in relevant architectural and interior design magazines.
It was about a six-month process that included detailed drawings for the site, renderings, and all necessary permits. Because of the challenging circumstances, I thought that it was important to dedicate time and to be well prepared before the commencement of the realization.
Apartment 24 used to belong to my late parents and its unrecognized potential was always intriguing me. After their departure, I have decided to transform the space filled with fond memories into something contemporary, functional, and beautiful. This decision placed me in an exciting as well as challenging position, in which, for the first time, I had to play both roles of a Client and an Architect as well.
I think that I have already answered this question (please, see above). I would just like to comment that this particular space is experienced by my family, me and my wonderful friends.
It was an emotional project, which helped me to deal with a loss of my parents and also placed me in the exciting position, in which I had to play both roles of a Client and an Architect as well, as I have already explained above.
It is always employment of different subjects of interests that are waiting patiently in your memory to become the initial point of the creative departure, rather than particular design/designer.
It could be any sensitive human being with ability to experience the serenity and sensuality of this space.
Despite the constraints that we had to face due to the particularity of the existing situation, we have achieved a surprising, uncommon transformation of the space.
Apartment 24 means exactly what it says: it is situated in the multi-apartment dwelling, numbered 24.
The tools that I always use: pens, pencils, color pencils, brushes, different software.
It is the effect of natural light coming through eleven light wells that creates ever-changing scenery.
Because of the complexity of the intervention, beside my usual collaborators in my Athens Studio, a number of dedicated professionals from various construction fields, coming from several countries had to be involved in the project, coordinated in three languages. Regarding joinery work, all wooden parts were created in Athens workshop and then transported to the site in Belgrade for the assembling.
Design process was supported by following software: Autodesk AutoCAD 2013; Autodesk 3ds Max 2017; Vray Render3.4; Adobe Photoshop cs6; Adobe Acrobat
Research was done regarding impact of natural light on the newly created space and materials applied. Numerous samples of terrazzo, birch plywood and walnut veneer were done to find the appropriate finish for this design.
The real potential of the space was recognized in the conventional layout and transformed into something contemporary and functional. The adopted strategy was quite daring, but only by introducing a new, metal construction, additional 13m2 of habitable space and appropriate height of the second level could have been gained, without violating the existing volume and borders of the property. The realization of the project was taking place in the central Belgrade dense urban tissue on the seventh and eighth floor, and the challenges involved tenants of the dwelling, as well as technical and bureaucratic issues.
I was quite satisfied with the new qualities of the space that were achieved and positive impact it had on different visitors. Hence, it inspired me to hire a professional photographer for images and director of photography for video. The result of our mutual effort was desirable enough to help the decision to take a part at the international design competition.
The project was realized in my native city, Belgrade, Serbia, hence it was important to me to test my skills beyond my usual locations in Greece. I am content that it went on so well and that I had wonderful collaborations with local experts from various construction fields. Also, I have re-established that if you follow your ideas passionately, anything is possible.
I would like to thank you for your time and attention.