SIXTY-NINE || Reconstruction of a Maisonette Inspired by Contemporary Art
The reconstruction of this maisonette home in Prague, Žižkov, was inspired by two pieces of contemporary art.
if you think of art collectors, there are a few types of collectors along a spectrum. The first group sees artwork merely as home decoration pieces; the second are those who value contemporary art but their homes are cluttered with a variety of pieces that may not exist harmoniously. The third type, which is representative of the homeowners of this maisonette, is the type that wants to integrate select works that bring them joy and pleasure into the design of their home, establishing a dialogue and connection between the interior design and the artwork.
Studio No Architects integrated two striking paintings into the reconstruction. Number Sixty-Nine, a painting by Vladmír Houdek, carries a special meaning for the homeowners, and this piece inspired the custom furniture throughout the home and heating cover design in the living room.
Tear drop pendant lights above the kitchen counter echo the melancholy of the second painting on the opposite wall above the bookshelves.
The rounded edges of the cabinetry and the rough edges of the cabinet doors echo the details of the painting by Vladmír Houdek.
The custom furniture is inspired by the details of the homeowner’s collectible artwork.
Although at first glance the cabinetry and shelving feature rounded corners and playful colours that mirror and complement the shapes and colours used in the painting, upon closer inspection, one will discover that the unusually rough edges of the Number Sixty-Nine painting are also reflected in the kitchen cupboard doors which sport the same jagged edges.
The theme is also integrated into the heating cover design in the living area, where the 69 motif repeats on the light pink cover.
The living area features a custom heating cover branded with the 69 motif pattern.
On the living room wall facing the kitchen and dining area hangs the second feature painting in the home — a piece by Josef Bolf. The elegant melancholy of the artwork is echoed by the teardrop pendant lights hanging above the kitchen counter, as well as the gray wall coating behind the painting. From the vantage point of the kitchen looking towards the living room, one will discover that the painting is visually connected to a waterfall mural on the side of a building that can be seen from the balcony window.
The second painting by Josef Bolf is visually connected to the waterfall painting viewable from the vantage point of the kitchen.
Although the maisonette’s redesign is informed by the two paintings, the team didn’t lose sight of practical elements such as incorporating ample storage into the entryway corridors and under the staircase to maximize storage space. The recessed handles also feature a curved design to align with the overall theme, and the doors are painted the same striking blue as in the kitchen.
To create a bright and airy space throughout the home, a skylight draws in natural light to the staircase while LED underlighting on the stairs guides the way after the sun sets. Similarly, the team utilized skylights to make the children’s room feel more spacious, opening the overhead space by cutting openings into the slanted roof.
The reconstruction of the maisonette achieved two objectives, to create a simple home for a family who understands and appreciates art, instead of seeing them as replaceable pieces, and to enlarge living areas such as the kitchen and storage space to create a comfortable, livable home.
A skylight in the children’s playroom opens the overhead space and draws in natural light.
PROJECT DETAILS
Architects: No Architects
Project Location: Prague 3 - Žižkov, Czech Republic
Project Year: 2020
Completion: 2021
Gross Floor Area: 130 m²
Usable Floor Area: 100 m²
Photographer: Studio Flusser
Collaborator: Contractor: CZ interiéry