balbek bureau's relogged house: a modern take on the log cabin

relogged house by balbek bureau in ukraine

Relogged by balbek bureau is a redesigned private house located in the green zone on the Ukrainian riverbank. As its name suggests, the project reinterprets the log cabin concept and responds to the nature-infused setting, inviting tranquil and comfortable living. While exploring examples of redesigned log cabins, the architects couldn’t find any references that matched their preferences and overall vision — therefore deciding to trust their intuition. ‘We opted for a contrasting solution for the dark wood on the walls – light wall panels and textiles, neutral concrete flooring, and simple, minimalist geometry. As for the overall interior concept, the client’s stylistic reference was Rick Owens’ apartment in the Italian city of Concordia – grungy, brutal, and utilitarian,’ writes balbek bureau.

all images © Andrey Bezuglov

a complete departure from the classic log house aesthetics

Naturally, the client’s request is a complete departure from the classic aesthetics of the log house. During discussions with balbek bureau (see more here), a decision was made to modernize that archetype while preserving the exposed wood inside the Relogged rooms. This decision was also technically motivated; fully covering the wood would have compromised the movement of the timber. ‘As the owners rent the house, we had to implement our ideas with minimal effort – using pinpoint construction changes and through furniture and interior solutions,’ explains the studio. One of these solutions included unifying the indoor wooden tones with a dark shade to echo the exterior’s palette. The entire log surface was sanded before staining, and balbek bureau took out as many trimmed beams as possible from the log structure for a cleaner layout of lines and geometry.

the living room’s centerpiece is a large sofa from the propro furniture brand

injecting symmetry, metallic backdrops, and open-plan spaces

The entrance to the living area reveals a glass vestibule with symmetrical stairs made of the wooden-clad metal console, greeting visitors in the grand hall and leading to the second floor. Handrails were opted from the design to keep with the overall minimalist design and clear geometry of elements — all at the client’s request. To the left of the entrance is a recessed home theater clad in plywood; here, metal cabinets are custom-made based on the bureau’s sketches. Several of these cabinets also find their way into other rooms, acting as unifying elements. The passage from the home theater ultimately leads to the kitchen, where a contrasting metal backdrop emerges, bringing a technological and modern feel to the Relogged interior. The large kitchen island is made of concrete, and the chairs are vintage.

fireplace facing the living room

During the redesign, balbek bureau took out the walls between the living, kitchen, and dining areas to form one generous open space while preserving the original log beams. The remaining walls display paintings from the client’s private collection. On the other hand, most windows were replaced, except for the large frontal opening spanning two floors; additional vertical windows also occupy the dining area to maximize natural light and add dynamism to the space.

The need for natural daylight finds its way to the spacious living room, where scenic windows overlook the river. Opposite the entrance to the house, a fireplace covered with concrete panels introduces clear geometry to the layout. ‘Near the fireplace area are vertical metal shelves for a substantial library and a cozy reading chair. For convenience, the shelves are equipped with movable metal stairs,’ shares balbek bureau. The walls here are finished with plaster imitating concrete, while microcement unifies the flooring throughout the Relogged house.

concrete and metal merge within the kitchen area

modern & minimalist bedrooms at the relogged house

On the second floor, to the right of the stairs, is the main bedroom with a wardrobe and a bathroom. The studio incorporated an additional symmetrical window into the ceiling, flooding the space with more daylight. Following the client’s request, the bedroom walls have been clad in wooden veneer wall panels. This design choice distinguishes the bedroom from other spaces while improving sound insulation. The new custom-made features a broad metal frame with integrated cabinets. Vintage lamps complement the private room, and a generously sized mirrored screen has been strategically placed across from the bed, adding functionality and aesthetic appeal. To maintain stylistic coherence, the room’s radiators have been substituted with metal ones for a more integrated design flow.

the furniture combines balbek bureau’s suggestions & vintage pieces collected by the client

In contrast to the wooden walls and log texture, the bathrooms boast a simple and modern aesthetic with a microcement finish. To the left of the stairs are two children’s bedrooms with a shared bathroom. Both rooms feature soft and customized upholstery based on a similar principle, as well as extra wardrobes and metal shelves. ‘Relogged became a pleasant escapade for us into unfamiliar territory, allowing us to work on rethinking a rather established and traditional form of a log cabin. The project also reminded us of the value of creative collaboration – thanks to the ideas and suggestions from our client, we created a space with character,‘ concludes the balbek bureau team.