Houzz Tour: Industrial-Modern Studio in Slovakia
Cement ceilings and exposed brick walls form a backdrop for efficient storage and modern furniture in a Central European studio
Architect Lukas Kordik's vision for his apartment in Bratislava, Slovakia, centered on three things: working with the existing structure, removing walls and barriers, and creating a simple, open space. But explaining his vision to his construction team was another story. "They didn't know why I wanted to leave the concrete vaulted ceilings and brick walls exposed after they were cleaned. They're used to plastering over everything," he said.
Eventually, Kordik's team got it right. What was once a "sad and strange space" is now a light-filled industrial apartment that works perfectly for him.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Lukas Kordik
Location: Bratislava, Slovakia
Size: 516 square feet
Design challenge: Convincing the construction workers to leave the ceiling and brick walls exposed
Eventually, Kordik's team got it right. What was once a "sad and strange space" is now a light-filled industrial apartment that works perfectly for him.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Lukas Kordik
Location: Bratislava, Slovakia
Size: 516 square feet
Design challenge: Convincing the construction workers to leave the ceiling and brick walls exposed
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| The robin's egg blue kitchen cabinets give the industrial space a playful splash of color. Sight lines are kept open with an electric stovetop, an oven set flush into the base cabinetry and integrated handles. The kitchen unit of sink, stove, oven and storage space operates from this vibrant block of color and space-saving efficiency. |
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Kordik's customized kitchen shelf is part wall installation, part storage wonder. Wineglasses, wooden spoons, coffee, spices, design books and much more are stored within its floor-to-ceiling shelves.
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| A transparent glass wall behind the open shelving divides the kitchen from the bathroom. "I wanted to put a small dining and work table there in the kitchen and enlarge the apartment in general, so I had to push the bathroom back — way back. It was a game with millimeters; I was working within a strip of space that was barely over 3 feet wide," says Kordik. |
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The proximity of the bathing and eating areas may not be for everyone, but the space works for Kordik's needs. Throughout the design process, he respectfully disregarded other people's judgments and followed his own ideas.
Kordik cooks up a storm and eats in his kitchen. Pots, pans and skillets hang from the shelving unit and overhead rack — clues that this kitchen is a working kitchen.
Kordik cooks up a storm and eats in his kitchen. Pots, pans and skillets hang from the shelving unit and overhead rack — clues that this kitchen is a working kitchen.
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The texture on the ceiling of this apartment forces you to look up. The concrete's coarseness and the brick walls contrast with the newly painted partial wall, finished oak floors and sleek lines of the modern furniture and appliances.
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| Kordik has carved out some space for his plants, on both the ground and the windowsill. Near the speakers, they can benefit from a little music therapy. |
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| This perspective of the living room shows how Kordik has devoted a niche next to the media area to a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf. Art both hangs on the wall and is placed casually on the floor. |
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Natural light floods the apartment from several windows facing the street. Spotlights streaming through the cement waves on the ceiling illuminate the space at night.
One of the reasons Kordik was drawn to the apartment was its access to both an urban environment and a village-like neighborhood of tree-lined streets, single-family homes and, in the horizon, a view of the Lesser Carpathian mountains.
One of the reasons Kordik was drawn to the apartment was its access to both an urban environment and a village-like neighborhood of tree-lined streets, single-family homes and, in the horizon, a view of the Lesser Carpathian mountains.
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For his 30th birthday, Kordik gave himself the orange midcentury armchair, where he often finds himself — right by the window with a drink in hand and music playing in the background.
Ideabook published on June 21, 2012.
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The only thing I would change if I lived there.. maybe elevate the bed. Since I am too old to get that low any more..
But if I were 30 this would be my pad!!
Fabia
Aren't you afraid of the pots swinging against the window and breaking them??
I've always wanted space to hang my 8 well-used cast iron skillets instead of always having to pull them out of the oven whenever I wanted to bake or broil something. I even once toyed VERY BRIEFLY with doing the same thing you did, but came to the conclusion I'd be replacing my windows every other week! ;D