A modern penthouse in the heart of Warsaw, designed by Roland Stańczyk, is a space that combines elegance, functionality and unique character. The two-story apartment, located on the top floors of an apartment building in the New Town, impresses not only with its panoramic views of the capital, but also with its harmonious interior design, created with the needs of two generations of a family in mind. It's a project that inspires, impresses with details and shows how modern solutions can harmonize with everyday living comfort.
The apartment building designed by Roland Stańczyk was built in Warsaw's Nowe Miasto district
Photo: Budzik Studio © Roland Stańczyk
The genesis of the project: a meeting after years and a common vision
The story of this penthouse began with a chance meeting years later. Roland Stańczyk, an architect known for designing apartments with classic, sophisticated aesthetics, was given a chance to face a completely new challenge - creating a modern interior with a minimalist character. Magdalena and Tomasz, the owners of the apartment, lived for years in a house on the outskirts of Warsaw. When the children left the family nest, the couple decided to change their surroundings and move closer to the city center. Their choice fell on an apartment building in Warsaw's New Town - a place that combines a great location with unique views of Krasinski Square, the Palace of the Republic, Krasinski Garden and the characteristic skyscrapers in the background.
The decisive factor in choosing the apartment was its two-level layout with extensive terraces. This layout offered not only living space for Magda and Tom, but also the possibility of creating an independent mini-apartment for Magdalena's father. It was this need for a functional division of space that became the starting point for the project.
The decisive factor in choosing the apartment was its two-level layout with extensive terraces
Photo: Budzik Studio © Roland Stańczyk
With Magda, a friend from school years, we met by chance at the seaside. Among many topics, the one about the apartment came up, which resulted in further conversations," Roland Stanczyk recalls.
It turned out that the owners approached the planning of their new home with extreme care.
Magda prepared an album with 80 illustrations, sorted by room. For example, of the twenty photos of the kitchen, two were about aesthetics, and the rest were about specific functional solutions, the architect says.
Although the owners had a precise vision, they gave the designer some freedom in shaping the space.
The styling was to be different from my previous projects, but I found pleasure in this spatial puzzle. I wanted to fit all functions on a relatively small square meter, giving the interior harmony and an individual touch," says Stańczyk.
The styling of this apartment differs from Roland Stanczyk's other projects
Photo: Budzik Studio © Roland Stanczyk
Space layout: two levels, two stories
The penthouse occupies two floors, offering a total of about 120 square meters of usable space. The lower level, of about 50 square meters, is a zone of privacy and independence. It houses Magdalena's father's suite - an intimate space with a bedroom, dressing room and bathroom - and a work room that can serve as a study or hobby area. The upper level, with an area of about 70 square meters, is the heart of the house: an open living room with a kitchen, dining room and a mater area with a bedroom, dressing room and spacious bathroom. The entrance to the apartment is downstairs, directly from the elevator, and an internal staircase leads upstairs, seamlessly connecting the two parts of the apartment.
This layout provides a balance between family life and privacy for each household member. Extensive terraces, accessible from the upper level, expand the usable space, offering a place to relax outdoors with views of the dynamic city skyline. It is these views that have become one of the penthouse's main assets, inspiring both the owners and the architect.
The penthouse occupies two floors, offering a total of about 120 square meters of usable space
Photo: Budzik Studio © Roland Stańczyk
About every centimeter: functional furniture developments
The project is dominated by furniture designed to measure by Roland Stanczyk and made by Wirchomski Manufaktura - a company famous for its precision and attention to detail.
I wanted to make the best use of every inch to make life in this apartment comfortable and pleasant," the architect emphasizes.
Unlike his earlier projects, full of aesthetic nuances, this penthouse opts for minimalist forms with a rich "inner life" - elaborate functions hidden in the built-ins.
The kitchen is distinguished by built-ins with a clearance over the hob, which optically opens up the space and gives it lightness
Photo: Budzik Studio © Roland Stańczyk
The kitchen, which is part of the open living area, is distinguished by built-ins with a clearance above the slab, which optically opens up the space and gives it lightness. The perpendicular wall of the living room, covered with a warm shade of gray, harmonizes with the central element of the arrangement - a curved oak pillar by the stairs. The furniture conceals advanced solutions: drawers with organizers for clothes, jewelry and accessories, pull-out shelves for kitchen appliances, as well as unique oak veneer staining.
The art of bent fronts is a sign of precision and hand craftsmanship, Stańczyk notes, praising the craftsmanship of Wirchomski Manufaktura.
A view of a kitchen with curved shapes
Photo: Budzik Studio © Roland Stańczyk
Comfort technology: smart solutions
The penthouse is equipped with modern installations that enhance the quality of life. Lighting based on Wever & Ducré busbars with the DALI system allows the light to be precisely matched to the function of each zone - from intense work lighting to subtle, relaxing tones.
The investors were keen to preserve the existing plaster, so I suggested non-invasive trunking, the architect explains.
The lights, as well as the air conditioning and heating, are controlled by the Fibaro system, operated with a smartphone or tablet. Air conditioning, crucial with the apartment's southern exposure, works discreetly, providing thermal comfort all year round. An interesting addition are combination locks, eliminating the need to carry keys - a practical and modern solution.
It's a technology that makes life easier while remaining invisible," stresses Stańczyk.
The investors were keen to preserve the existing plaster, so Roland Stańczyk proposed non-invasive railings
Photo: Budzik Studio © Roland Stanczyk
Pillar of the project: the stairs and their surroundings
The most distinctive element of the interior is the curved oak space by the staircase - a massive supporting structure that has become the communicative and aesthetic axis of the penthouse. Next to the glass wall of the living room , this element connects the kitchen, dining room and relaxation area.
A characteristic element of the interior is the rounded oak space by the stairs
Photo: Budzik Studio © Roland Stańczyk
Living area: the view as the main character
The living room, open to the city thanks to huge glass windows, focuses on the Warsaw skyline. A corner sofa, facing the terrace, emphasizes the role of the view as the focal point of the arrangement. A conservatory is currently under construction, which will allow the terrace to be used also in colder weather, actually enlarging the living room space. Minimalist cabinetry conceals appliances, kitchen utensils and other everyday items, providing order and a feeling of spaciousness.
I wanted the whole thing to have a breath of air in it despite the limited square footage," Stańczyk points out.
Master zone: a bedroom with soul
The master bedroom impresses with a large corner window that lets in plenty of natural light. An upholstered bed headrest, overlapping the glyph, and a low dressing table with velvet jewelry compartments create an atmosphere of elegance and tranquility. The dressing room, hidden behind the wall, serves as not only clothes storage, but also a utility room - with a washer, dryer and cleaning robot station. The bathroom, inspired by luxury spas, offers a shower seat and minimalist built-ins for toiletries, providing space for relaxation.
The master bedroom impresses with a large corner window that lets in plenty of natural light
Photo: Budzik Studio © Roland Stańczyk
Asylum of the master: the father's suite
On the lower level a space was created for Magdalena's father - a titled sports champion.
Magda and Tomek's concern for their dad's comfort was touching," recalls Stanczyk.
A mini-apartment with a dressing room, kitchenette (fridge, kettle, toaster) and bathroom provides full independence. Large display windows will soon expose trophies, while a corner window and desk create a cozy corner for work or reflection.
On the lower level, a mini apartment was created for Magdalena's father
Photo: Budzik Studio © Roland Stańczyk
Harmony of form and function
The "Inner Life" penthouse is proof that modern interior design can combine aesthetics with practicality. Roland Stańczyk has created a space that inspires and meets the expectations of demanding users.
