Apartment with Arched Vaults by Za Bor Architectural Studio

Apartment with Arched Vaults by Za Bor Architectural Studio

The 70-square-meter space that architects at Za Bor had to work with featured a distinctive characteristic — historic arched vaults up to 4.5 meters high, preserved from the time when this house, built during Catherine II's reign, was a palace wing.

The studio frequently uses the technique of isolating built-in volumes during zoning. Inside the white cube in the living room, there is a bathroom. One of its walls forms a niche with kitchen equipment, and another, facing the sofa, serves as a projector screen.

The project is executed in a minimalist style, which is reflected in the choice of materials — all of them are selected in neutral tones: white and gray paint for walls, black slate for wet zones, and light brown American walnut wood for living areas.

Low natural lighting (the apartment is on the first floor) is compensated by high vaulted ceilings that reflect light. The central volume at the top has hidden lights around its perimeter, allowing the living room to be lit without using the overhead lighting (a lamp is only located above the dining table).