Waterfall Apartment by Iva Hajkova Studio

An apartment in a panel block, which, thanks to the reconstruction, got a chance to come to life and show its potential, both functionally and layout-wise, as well as aesthetically. The apartment, located on the border of the old and new part of Prague, Žižkov, creates a pleasant haven for the life of a young active family...

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From the architect: At the beginning, the clients wanted to sell the apartment and buy an apartment in a "better" building than the panel house. However, thanks to its excellent location in the wider center of Prague, on the border of the old and new parts of Žižkov, the apartment was given the chance to be transformed by our studio.  The basis was to create an open-air space for family life, but at the same time, with the possibility of privacy for individuals. The only requirements for the appearance were natural materials, the creation of a dominant interior element, and abundant use of greenery. With the knowledge of the ideas and needs of the investor and the possibilities of the space, the story "At the Waterfall" began to emerge for us.

We enlarged the main living space and partially connected it with another room - this is achieved by removing the partition between the two rooms. At the same time, however, in a new (shifted) position, a new, U-glass partition is created. Building glass panels connect the two rooms to a certain extent in terms of light and optics, but at the same time, they allow separation and shelter for the mentioned privacy, which serves as a study and a place for exercise. The principle of enlargement and ventilation is also applied in the hygienic background of the apartment. Two comfortable bathrooms were created, one for women with a bathtub and a hidden washing machine, the other for men with a shower corner and a toilet.

The natural appearance of the concrete panels, which we decided to show, connects with the natural greenish color of the U-glass blocks, and together they create the impression of water and rock, for us, a waterfall in the rocks. This impression of a "natural scene" is completed and enhanced by the use of an abundance of flowers, the range of colors, and the subtle shapes used. We further support the intended atmosphere by using wood, stone, terrazzo flooring, mirrors, or flowing textiles.

The color of the cast terrazzo floor depends on the color concept of the apartment and is based on green, pink, beige, gray stones, so that everything is connected into a unified whole.

The hardness of the concrete is purposefully softened by interior textiles, both with a curtain along the U-glass partition (for the possibility of even greater privacy), and also with a curtain in the bedroom, where we use it to separate the newly created dressing room, separated by a curtain. We further refine the concrete with wall drawings and decorations.

A matter of course in the interior is the creation of a lot of storage space. In addition to the aforementioned dressing room, there are built-in wardrobes "circling" the bathroom (an interesting element is the hidden door to the bathroom integrated into them), storage space in the new, larger chamber, and also a wardrobe in the study, which includes a desk.

Architect: Iva Hajkova Studio
Location: Prague, Czech
Year: 2024
Usable floor area: 95 sqm
Team: Iva Hájková, Kateřina Šmardová
Photography: KUBICEK.STUDIO