OBRIY uses natural materials + warm tones for 'PORTAL' apartment in kiev

OBRIY.architects has completed the design of a light-filled apartment in the center of kiev, ukraine. the ample new residence boasts stunning views over the city and is characterized by a palette of natural materials and warm-toned colors. 

images courtesy of OBRIY.architects

when shaping the new apartment, OBRIY decided to emphasize the windows that lined the floor plan by creating a gallery feature with timber-covered shelves and walls in between the openings. this gallery is designed to connect the kitchen and dining area with the lounge zone. they also covered the heating elements under the windows with wooden boxes to make the lines of the gallery cleaner. extra storage drawers are inserted in the gaps between the radiators. 

to complement the natural color of the wooden surfaces, the design team applied a warm grey concrete floor and decorative plaster on effect walls. the remaining walls are painted off-white to create an overall organic and earthy color palette. 

created by steininger, the kitchen is designed with precise lines and seems almost monolithic. one of the main features of this kitchen is a stainless steel element with a herb garden. OBRIY chose white for the kitchen island to bring a pure accent to the room while blending in with the other colors of the space. the dining area is articulated by a large table made from bleached american ash. it also contains minimalist chairs to complement the clean lines of the table. the fixtures are designed by australian designer, amee allsop.

the lounge zone features a modular sofa created by paola lenti. the units of the sofa are independent, so it’s possible to create different layouts depending on the function. to create a TV stand, OBRIY used huge wooden beams with natural edges. the wall behind the TV is covered with natural plaster to create an effect wall and bring an organic look to the lounge.

the bedroom uses the same plaster effect for the walls, making the room feel cozy and relaxing. within this space, similar design principles are used such as boxing the heating elements and drawers. 

there is a master bathroom located next to the bedroom. the walls are covered with tiles from a collection called ‘set’ made by sant’agostino ceramics. for the floor, the designers decided to use the same microcement they used for the kitchen and living room. the washbasins come from ceramice gallassia. they have a cylindrical shape with thin edges, so they look geometrical and elegant at the same time. black has been chosen for all the ceramics in the bathroom to emphasize the shape of the fixtures.

project info:

project name: PORTAL

location: kiev, ukraine 

architect: OBRIY.architects

area: 1130 ft2 (105 m2)

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lynne myers | designboom