Matching the interior design to the existing space and the investor's requirements is the main challenge facing interior architects. In the Cracow house behind the roof, the main task was to fit into the open space overlooking the surrounding greenery.
If you were wondering what the interior of a house with a roof overgrown with vegetation looks like, designed by Bartłomiej Drabik of the Superhelix design studio - now is the best opportunity. Ewelina Ziolkowska-Jacyków, an architect from SPOIWO studio, created a space for demanding owners - lovers of design and original solutions. DZMT was the investor of the project.
Highlighting the beautiful truss, which is visible from everywhere - it plays the main role here
Photo: Smog Studio
Basia Hyjek: What was the main inspiration for this project? How did the design process go?
Ewelina Ziolkowska-Jacyków: The goal of the project was to respect the amazing space created by the architect of the house and to highlight the beautiful truss, which is visible from everywhere - it plays the main role here, so the other elements, especially the living room, had to emphasize it without competing for attention. The layout is largely the original design of the architect and his idea of how the house "works". It is intended to be closed to outsiders passing by and open from the garden. We took advantage of this somewhat "theatrical" guiding the visitor from the entrance through a dark and narrow corridor to surprise him after crossing the threshold with a spacious and bright interior by contrast.
The living room was to be a white box with colorful niches: a blue lobby with patterned MarakechDesign tiles; a sandy kitchen complemented by satin copper; an ash leather-finished bookcase; a sage corridor upstairs in the night area - this was the idea behind the concept, and I think it's clear. It was supposed to be light, spacious and original, not overly extravagant, because this is a residential house for a family with children.
The most controversial and my favorite was the bathroom with an open shower without separating the glass, with the faucet being a simple copper pipe connecting the sink to the shower
Photo: Smog Studio
Basia: Where did you get the idea for such a choice of colors and materials? What were the investor's requirements?
Ewelina: The spatial layout and choice of materials is the result of close cooperation with the client and response to his needs. At the first meeting, the client gave us basic guidelines: that he collects art, respects good design, cooks often and dislikes corduroy and stone. Hence the large white walls, providing a suitable place to display paintings in the living room, as well as a huge table and an open kitchen, which is only seemingly small. It hides a huge pantry behind the wall, which houses all the necessary products and accessories. The interior features a lot of good design elements like the Neve Rubinetterie Canali faucet or Vibia and Estiluz lighting. The most controversial, and my favorite, was the bathroom with an open shower without separating the glass, with the faucet being a simple copper pipe connecting the sink to the shower. The investor appreciated its aesthetic qualities, but was concerned about functionality. Today it is the most comfortable bathroom of the whole family, which they use most often, although it was designed for guests.
The most interesting thing in the construction process was the steel stairs, which, according to the design, were supposed to look like made of a sheet of paper, so we were very careful about their thickness
Photo: Smog Studio
Basia: What was the biggest challenge, and what gave you the most satisfaction in the whole process?
Ewelina: The most interesting thing in the construction process was the steel stairs, which according to the design were supposed to look like they were made of a piece of paper, so we were very careful about their thickness. Our contractor prepared a real-scale prototype of the 3 steps and their connection to the balustrade to convince the client of our assumptions. The whole design process was a great pleasure - we just had a lot of fun with it, because the investor was open-minded, demanding and very involved in the project - I think this is the best combination, because it makes each room unique.
