Apartment Prague 1

In the heart of the Old Town, we participated as the general contractor in the renovation of an apartment based on a design by co-authors Markéta Bromová and Lenka Míková.

The apartment is located in an Art Nouveau building, whose character is reflected in the interior through original historical windows, interior doors, and high ceilings. Both the building and the individual units had already undergone complete renovations prior to our involvement, which we were required to follow up on. The apartment’s layout consists of two zones with distinct characters, and the main concept of the design is based on two opposing yet complementary principles. In the generous living area, minimalist interior elements are deliberately inserted and emphasized with dark tones. In the smaller rooms, by contrast, the built-in elements become part of the walls themselves—thanks to paneled cladding that mirrors the division and coloring of the historic doors and windows.

Minor structural adjustments were made to optimize the layout, providing more storage space in each bedroom while also making the rooms more spacious. Small, separate walk-in closets were replaced by built-in wardrobes that are fully integrated into the wall paneling. The paneled structure is based on the dimensions of the historical doors, but the cabinet doors are intentionally offset from this rhythm, subtly revealing their contemporary function and origin. The paneled walls serve as the dominant interior element in the bedrooms and hallway, creating a unifying motif—always in slightly different forms—while also adding a sense of livability to the spaces. In the master bedroom, the paneling includes an upholstered headboard; in the guest room, it conceals doors to the bathroom and storage; in the hallway, it hides a wardrobe and technical features while accentuating the passage into the living area.

The living room contrasts with the bedrooms through its openness and airy feel. Here, the design principle is reversed: instead of integrating furnishings into the walls, the main pieces of built-in and freestanding furniture are placed as solitary elements in the space—a tall cabinet housing the kitchen, a cooking island, a dining table, a sofa, and a long media console. Paneling is reduced to a tall baseboard along the floor, while the walls are left open and softened by a warm, cloudy gray paint that gives the room a more intimate atmosphere.

The unifying element between the two parts of the apartment is the parquet flooring, preserved from the previous renovation but now color-adjusted to give the wood a darker, livelier look with a subtly aged surface finish. Natural marble surfaces are used throughout the interior, repeated in various applications and color tones to create unique atmospheres in different spaces. At the same time, marble provides a timeless, solid material quality and natural aesthetic. Offcuts from the stone slabs were repurposed as side tables. Custom-made furniture completes the material palette with walnut veneer and solid brass, for example in bathroom cabinetry, mirrors, and other details.

Copyright Veronika Raffajová