Art-Apart
Redesigning of 19th century apartment to private home and artist’s residency with exhibition space.
Originally conceived to become both a private apartment and an artist’s in residency with exhibition spaces, this 19th century Berlin apartment has been renovated with the intention of integrating private and public sphere in highly flexible and dynamic spaces.
The double functionality of the apartment is represented by the chosen materials and by a series of monochromatic unfolding furniture, that allows the display of different architectural elements and quick rooms’ transformations depending on the situation.
The bathroom at the entrance can be easily hidden by a series of panels. As they are open, the space reveals three different functional elements. On the top right, following the original apartment scale, there is a cubical storage niche, while beneath it one can enter the bathroom.
The dry area, a cubical volume with toilet and sink that is meant to be accessible to the public, is neatly separated from the private, wet/shower area.
The architects appositely created a series of furniture pieces with solid and functional materials. The mirror cabinet as well as the radiator, for example, are entirely made of steel and copper referencing to Berlin’s nightlife and industrial vibes.
The sculptural shower extends on the full height of the apartment (3.52m) and corresponds to the third element of the wall façade. When the panels are open and the light inside is on, the shower is visible through a translucent mirror, thus unifying both the private and public spaces.
The second bathroom is intended for private use only and it was created with light, warm materials to functionally oppose the other. Although, it follows the same logic, with a storage niche on top and with cubical and elongated volumes for the dry and wet areas.
The original size of this bathroom was reduced to create a larger entrance hall that could function as a hub between public and private areas and as meeting point for visitors.
The hall, as well as the corridor are provided with natural light coming from a typical winter-balcony with characteristic hand made cement tiles mosaic pavement.
At the other end of the apartment there is a large living room that features a series of large windows and that could host exhibitions and public events. A wall with two lateral openings breaks up this area and divides it from the kitchen.
The kitchen is fitted with minimal white cabinets leaving just a black granite alcove visible. The working surface, an over scaled 2 cm thick granite table (275 x 80 cm) with triangular and self-supporting hot rolled steel (18 mm diameter) legs, was designed to be easily moved and multi-functional.
