The Art Maisonette project in Prague’s Letná originated from the owner’s six-month road trip across the United States with their children and their passion for the Czech graffiti scene and art.

What started as a project of simple minor adjustments to make the space more functional for the family became an overall facelift for the apartment, and the vision crystallized during the design and preparation process.

The first reconstruction took place with the purchase of part of the high-rise apartment building from the late 1930s several years ago. The design solution at that time was to utilize an open layout for the lower part of the apartment around the central chimney wall. The two floors were connected by a straight steel staircase with a partial glass railing. The upper bedroom was connected by a built-in roof neck, which made it possible to enter the terrace facing west to the courtyard.

The interior design reflects the distinctive personalities and temperaments of the interior designers’ long-term friends, with colourful paintings and installations that fill the living space. Colour is subtly infused into the space by hiding vibrant hues into the carpentry elements of built-in wardrobes. The intent of utilizing colour on the wardrobe interiors is for the interior to age with a natural patina through everyday use.

The original concrete screeds on the walls and oak parquet floors have been preserved, which have been renovated with toning into their natural shade to retain the lived-in feeling of the home. The open facing the living area on the lower floor has been upgraded with technistone, high-quality quartz that is easy to clean, durable, and beautiful.

The staircase has gotten a facelift with an elegant full glass railing and wooden steps leading to the upper floor. The rest of the apartment is an exercise in simplification to provide a clean canvas against which to display the vibrant artwork in the homeowner’s collection.

Even the wings of the inner doors have hidden door frames repainted with white to match the adjoining walls to minimize the distraction from the artwork. The entrance hall features a large-format mirror wall at the end with integrated doors to the bathroom and toilet.

The theme of integrated doors and access points continues from the entrance to the bedroom quarters, where one will discover the hidden closet behind the 3D wooden panels in a smart black tone; the blush pink interior of the hidden closet is a playful touch to the otherwise simple and modern vibe of the bedroom.

The original separate loggia to the courtyard was glazed at the level of the façade, creating an illuminated niche extending the corridor with padded seating and at the same time another exhibition area for artwork.

In contrast to the whimsical colours hidden in the cabinets and closets, the bathroom features a small-format anthracite mosaic shower tucked away in a corner.

The renovation taking place while the homeowners were away presented a unique challenge for the team, but the investors inspired the team with their distinctive taste and non-conforming wardrobe, allowing the designers to step outside their minimalist comfort zone. As a result, the attic duplex is rejuvenated and made more functional with bright punches of cheery colour while retaining a seemingly minimalist outer appearance.

Just like how everyone has a colourful and interesting story behind a quiet outer appearance, we often have to take a deeper look and invest the time to explore before we discover the stories that add colour to people’s lives.

PROJECT DETAILS

Studio: esté architekti

Project Location: Letná, Prague 7

Project Country: Czech Republic

Project Year: 2019

Completion Year: 2020

Usable Floor Area: 125 m²

Photographer: Studio Flusser

Collaborators

Realization: Matěj Houdek
Carpentry: Manifik [Petr Vodička], Granit [Jakub Fiala]
Floor and wall finishes: 3deco [Martin Pancíř], Němec Luxusní povrchy
Lighting: Syvel [Petr Londin]