Colours, but no colours!

By Aksa Ahmed

Photography: Leonas Garbačauskas / AGROB BUCHTAL

Read Time: 1 min 30 secs

                                                          

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A calculated division sets the tone of this compact 45 sq. m. apartment in Lithuania, designed especially for a frequent traveller…

Conceptualised by architectural collaborative, YCL studio, headed by architects Tomas Umbrasas, Aidas Barzda, Tautvydas Vileikis and graphic designer Rokas Kontvainis, colours and materials become the secondary proactive approach to the cutting-edge diagonal split of the apartment into two contrasting areas.

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45 sq. m. closely packed, open space is shrewdly divided into two equal halves by a single, oblique ceramic-clad wall. One part contains the living area and kitchen, the other the bedroom and bathroom. The former being cool and refreshing is enveloped in a neutral setting of, white wooden floor, and white walls and ceiling, symbolising exuberance and effervescence. The latter is enclosed in earthy warmth of the ceramic wall in three shades of reddish brown with the concrete ceiling in matching terracotta colour symbolizing a homely, relaxed environment.

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Furniture is carefully selected in monochromatic shades of white, black and grey, bringing the two parts together; the overall colour scheme reminiscent of a partially coloured, black and white movie. As one of the architects, Aidas Barzda says, “We imagined that the day is bright, full of light, talks, food while the night time asks for private, safe and cosy place, and is a bit dark, and sleepy. This opposition is articulated by drawing a sharp line.” 

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The typology of clubbing the wet areas – kitchen and bathroom – is turned around in this case; with the bedroom being clad in ceramic tiles and articulated along with the bathroom; whilst the open kitchen becomes part of the neutral living area.  A simple yet well-thought-out spatial division and palette has made heroes of its applicators and created an ambient pied-à-terre for two!

isometric view

plan

Fact file:

Project: Bazillion Apartment, Vilnius

Architects/Designers: YCL Studio, Vilnius, Lithuania

Design Team:

Tomas Umbrasas, Aidas Barzda, Tautvydas Vileikis,

Rokas Kontvainis, Justė Surplytė

Ceramic Tiles: AGROB BUCHTAL, Schwarzenfeld, Germany

Size: 45 sq. m.
Location: Lithuania