In terms of housing and architecture, Vienna has a long and unique history. Not only because of the countless number of co-operatively owned rental properties available, but because of gems like this

Art Deco Villa, built in 1931,

which consists of three privately owned apartments. The clients and owners of the ground floor have occupied their apartment since 2013. Up until the IFUB* was commissioned for the redesign, it was almost continually lived in and had been maintained in a comfortable but worn condition. When developing the new design, crucial factors like past design interventions and childhood memories needed to be considered alongside the intrinsic characteristics of the basic structure.

The kitchen felt uninviting and was actually designed as staff kitchen. For this reason, it was fundamentally changed during the renovation. Yet, by preserving the original furniture like the fitted units, and restoring the existing floor, some of the

old charm

of the room has been retained.

Today, a feeling of uncompromising spaciousness is met upon entering through the main door of the apartment. The entrance hall was

visually enlarged

using simple measures without any major modifications. Opposing mirrors infinitely extend the space, while the light gray walls, together with the white, illuminated ceiling, increase the lofty and open feel. The material features of brass knobs and handles from the front door are carried over to the wardrobe design.

The kitchen at a glance. Above the central kitchen island is a black-lacquered

suspended steel shelf

with storage lattices through which the old bunker lamps and the extraction hood are hung. The offset shape of the kitchen island’s steel base provides seating and the same form is also repeated in the hanging shelf.

Revealing, radiating, reflecting? The backdrop and lighting by the sink

play with the perception

of the viewer.

The bathroom design follows the same principles as the kitchen and shower room. Unimposing surfaces in combination with black steel racks bring order and clarity to the rooms. The dark

Terrazzo

floor works perfectly with the color scheme and with an integrated drain, is incredibly easy to keep clean.

Both bathrooms were finished with a textural,

ridged plastering

on the walls, providing a pleasant feel. This effect was used almost up to the ceiling; the rest being finished in smooth plaster. The new light switches were selected to compliment the background.

Throughout the living area (living and dining room, library, bedroom, and guest room) a uniform

wall and ceiling design

was chosen. White walls were combined with gray ceilings, with the transition characterized by black borders that also serve as lighting strips. During the day, the brightness is most reflected and concentrated on the light walls, at night, the effect is balanced and somewhat reversed by the illuminated ceilings.