Smolenka “Oak Tube’’ Apartment / Peter Kostelov

Smolenka “Oak Tube’’ Apartment / Peter Kostelov - ChairSmolenka “Oak Tube’’ Apartment / Peter Kostelov - Countertop, SinkSmolenka “Oak Tube’’ Apartment / Peter Kostelov - BeamSmolenka “Oak Tube’’ Apartment / Peter Kostelov - Table, Chair, WindowsSmolenka “Oak Tube’’ Apartment / Peter Kostelov - More Images+ 15

Moscow, Russia

Text description provided by the architects. The apartment is on the 5th floor of a tall multistory building with inner yard. Large balcony next to the dining room, low location of the apartment and a part of the house, which strongly shadowed the inner yard – all these didn't let the sun get into this very part of the house.

Smolenka “Oak Tube’’ Apartment / Peter Kostelov - Windows
© Zinon Razutdinov

The greater part of apartment has vividly oblong proportions. Space between windows used to be large notably 14 meters. Walls and balcony made it 2,5 meters larger now its 16,5 meters!

Smolenka “Oak Tube’’ Apartment / Peter Kostelov - Sofa, Table, Beam, Windows
© Zinon Razutdinov

The width between structural solid-cast walls was only 3,3 meters while the places, where ventilating shafts were embedded, made it even less just 2,8 meters. Having these proportions and spaces it came out that the middle of the apartment practically was not lightened.

Smolenka “Oak Tube’’ Apartment / Peter Kostelov - Chair, Windows
© Zinon Razutdinov

The solution came like this: there shouldn't be dead walls in this part, instead they are to replace with glass wall which if necessary can be blinded with curtains. In the end, the part of the apartment with dining room, guest space, living space and working place got enlightened from both sides.

Smolenka “Oak Tube’’ Apartment / Peter Kostelov - Beam
© Zinon Razutdinov

Thus, apartment proportions and poor lighting caused its space-planning design. As for the middle part it was lifted on the podium, so that “to catch” the light coming through the window. Smooth and rounded passages between walls, ceiling and floor visually joined and expanded the small spacing between the walls in the living room.

Smolenka “Oak Tube’’ Apartment / Peter Kostelov - Chair
© Zinon Razutdinov

This part of the living room is finished with light oak tree, which gradually goes from ceiling to floor and walls with its built-in closets, shelves and desk. In fact styling design concept was determined by so called “oak tube” which runs just in the middle of the apartment with its working and leisure place to which the dining room adjoins it from one side and the guest room from another.

Smolenka “Oak Tube’’ Apartment / Peter Kostelov - Handrail, Beam
© Zinon Razutdinov

External parts of “the tube” are fined with composite stone. The butts of the “tube” imitate the cuts of its form, while loose airy joining to the walls underlines its ease, giving the illusion of something brought from outside.

Smolenka “Oak Tube’’ Apartment / Peter Kostelov - Windows, Beam
© Zinon Razutdinov

Similar idea was implemented for the bedroom too. The room is divided into sections which also have smooth, closed passages between ceiling, floor and walls making up shelves closets and a bed. The butts of the “tubeª is also fined with stone, imitating the cut shape.

Smolenka “Oak Tube’’ Apartment / Peter Kostelov - Windows
© Zinon Razutdinov

As for the part less enlightened it is given to secondary premises: guest loo, gowning room and a bathroom adjoining bedroom.

Smolenka “Oak Tube’’ Apartment / Peter Kostelov - Countertop, Sink
© Zinon Razutdinov

Kitchen is sited as separated block contra-lateral to a window. The floor in the common places like hallway, kitchen, dining room and corridor is fined with ceramogranite while all private zones like leisure space, study, and bedroom are fined with oak planks.

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Project location

Address:Moscow, Russia

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
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Cite: "Smolenka “Oak Tube’’ Apartment / Peter Kostelov" 06 Jul 2012. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/250308/smolenka-oak-tube-apartment-peter-kostelov> ISSN 0719-8884

© Zinon Razutdinov

斯莫兰卡“橡树洞”公寓 / Peter Kostelov

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