Homes

Replus design bureau give us a tour of a restored slice of history styled with pops of artistic flair

OCT 8, 2020 | By Sakshi Rai
Pendant lamps hang over the slender dining setup, just beyond the engraved fireplace; Photographs by Andrey Bezuglov
A large window and parallel mirror do away with the need for a ceiling light in the kitchen; Photographs by Andrey Bezuglov
Carefully planned cabinets allow easy stacking and pair well with the wooden beams overhead; Photographs by Andrey Bezuglov
A piece of modern art hangs above the bathtub in the bedroom; Photographs by Andrey Bezuglov
The layout of the children's room is reconfigured for privacy; Photographs by Andrey Bezuglov

A refurbished apartment in a historical building in Lviv, constructed circa 1890, belongs to architects Khrystyna Badzyan and Dmytro Sorokevych of Ukranian creative practice Replus design bureau. The 800 sq ft residence is distinguished by its bold, outlandish transformation—a wild and expressive canvas for its inhabitants.

“A contemporary rendition of traditional Hutsulian ethnicity within a neo-Renaissance Austrian environment” is how the duo describe their home, which has an aged, lived-in appeal. But making such an old structure first livable and then personalised was nothing short of a Herculean task.

The creative pair chose to retain former elements as well as add new features fitting their present context, thereby creating a space that let’s one traverse the corridors of time. 

The centrally positioned kitchen counter features an inbuilt sink and is paired with compact high seaters; Photographs by Andrey Bezuglov

Authentic 19th century doors, which have been scraped and varnished, lead the way into each of the white-walled rooms within the abode christened Guculska. Cracked ceilings in the kitchen and living area were removed, while old wooden beams including some with engraved inscriptions from 1871 by Badzyan’s grandfather were repurposed as part of the decor.

Walnut cabinets facilitate easy storage; Photographs by Andrey Bezuglov

The creatives renovated the parquetry flooring throughout the apartment, except for the kitchen. This area is clad in natural marble tiles over the integrated heating. In the bedrooms too, small frescos that survived the test of time are illuminated by carefully installed wall sconces. Apart from these, other vintage keeps include a mid-19th century antique wardrobe and a historical stove from Levynskyi factory that was reincarnated into a big, open fireplace.

Old wooden beams, reclaimed from former residences, are refashioned as bookshelves; Photographs by Andrey Bezuglov

Another challenge that Badzyan and Sorokevych overcame during the redesigning of this apartment was its linear and congested layout that housed long and narrow rooms by using mirrors, giant windows and furniture with sleek silhouettes. 

Neatly labelled jars are placed within the kitchen cabinet; Photographs by Andrey Bezuglov

We love how self-sufficient the numerous and diversely styled windows are. They are everywhere—from the bathrooms where the day begins to the bedrooms. They even eliminate the need for ceiling lights in the kitchen and living room!

A tall, arched doorway separates the kitchen from the living room; Photographs by Andrey Bezuglov

Refurbishing this residence allowed the creatives to revisit past architectural styles that celebrated a typically warm Ukrainian society, when neighbours communicated from their balconies. To facilitate this, former windows facing the courtyard were replaced by larger ones with aluminium frames, while those on the main facade were replicated in a traditional manner using wood and original fittings.

A lone bathtub in the bedroom and bare walls romanticise the historical character of the structure; Photographs by Andrey Bezuglov

The entrance to the home is positioned between a balcony and living room, both bathed in abundant daylight. The latter also houses a dining area and a television lounge on either side of the ancient, majestic fireplace. An expansive kitchen is designed with a multifunctional counter and an inbuilt sink as well as open walnut cabinets—an exemplary display of functionality and organisation.

Faint remains of small, former frescos are seen in the bedrooms; Photographs by Andrey Bezuglov

Beyond the living area, on the left two bedrooms reconfigured to isolate the children’s room from the master suite. It is here that the engraved wooden beams from Badzyan’s grandfather’s former home are installed, acting as a deeply cherished memoir as well as a link between different generations in the family.

Scroll below to see more images of the Guculska apartment by Replus design bureau…

Vibrant, storage boxes add colour to the open, monochromatic wardrobe; Photographs by Andrey Bezuglov

 

Artwork, a miniature tent and desk as well as a toy rocking horse are seen atop the refurbished parquetry flooring in the children’s room; Photographs by Andrey Bezuglov

 

Floral floor coverings enliven the bare passageways; Photographs by Andrey Bezuglov

 

Primary hues and playful styles are chosen for the furniture in the children’s room; Photographs by Andrey Bezuglov

 

The balcony has room for cosy seating areas as well as numerous potted plants; Photographs by Andrey Bezuglov

 

A set of linear bars come handy for hanging essentials while also saving space in the small bathrooms; Photographs by Andrey Bezuglov

 

Natural light shines upon this nature-inspired pedestal for the basin; Photographs by Andrey Bezuglov

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