3 Legal Options for Replanning a Studio Apartment in a 'Brezhnev' Building

Despite the small area, there can be plenty of layout options in a studio apartment. For example, in the 'Bashnya Vulykha' series of houses, internal partitions are non-load-bearing – which means there is room to expand. Architect Anastasia Kiseleva proposed layout options, and renovation expert Maxim Dzhuraev explained how to coordinate them without issues.

Brief Information

The 'Bashnya Vulykha' house series is named after the famous Soviet architect Efim Petrovich Vulykh. The 12-story frame-and-brick buildings belong to the 'Brezhnev' era. The layouts and parameters of apartments, as well as the structural characteristics of the 'Bashnya Vulykha' series, are largely similar to houses of series II-67. An undeniable advantage of the standard layout is the absence of load-bearing walls and a separate bathroom. 

Standard Layout

Option 1: With a bed in the niche

For a family without children, several functional zones can be created in the apartment. The sleeping area was moved into the niche, and the remaining space is a living room with TV. The partition between the bedroom and hallway was moved toward the bed: the hallway now has space for a large wardrobe for outerwear. 

The bathroom and toilet were combined to accommodate a large utility cabinet with a washing machine. The kitchen was designed with emphasis on the dining area: a compact cabinet was placed along the window. A working desk and relaxation zone were added to the insulated balcony.

Expert Opinion: the layout is quite convenient and easy to coordinate. A renovation project and technical conclusion from any project organization with the appropriate SRO permit are required.

Option 2: Studio Apartment

By combining the kitchen and living room, a studio was created from the single-room apartment. A large corner cabinet was installed on the kitchen, and a bar counter was used for zoning, with sliding partitions planned. A sofa-bed was installed in the living room. Here, a workspace was also created.

The apartment has two wardrobes: one for outerwear and another for personal items. Moving the entrance to the kitchen allowed expanding the bathroom. In this variant, both a bathtub and a shower cabin can be placed in the bathroom.

Expert Opinion: there is more than enough space for storage in a small family. A renovation project and technical conclusion are required for coordination.

Option 3: With a Children's Area

The renovation resembles the first option, but here a space for a child's sleep was added in the niche. The kitchen was divided into two zones: dining and food preparation. The bathrooms were not combined. A washing machine and a cabinet for storage were placed in the bathroom. There is enough space next to the bathroom for niches with shelves, ideal for storing cosmetics. The remaining space in the living room was used to create a soft zone with a TV and a workspace. 

Expert Opinion: this layout is easy to coordinate. A renovation project and technical conclusion from any project organization with the appropriate SRO permit are required.

Photo on the Cover: Design by Alexandra Trush