Project: Apartment in Astana
Interior Design: Kvadrat Architects
Designers: Sergey Bekmukhanbetov, Rustam Minnekhanov
Project location: Astana, Kazakhstan
Built area: 130 m2
Design year: 2023
Photo Credits: Gleb Kramchaninov
This apartment in the Highvill Ishim residential complex, located near the Presidential Park and the Palace of Peace and Accord in Astana, offers 130 square meters of beautifully designed space suited for a family of four. The interior design, inspired by Asian minimalism, provides an open, airy feel despite its low ceilings.
After living in this apartment for two years, the clients, following a recommendation, approached a design studio to address the lack of spaciousness they felt, primarily due to the 2.8-meter ceilings and a cramped dressing room.
The interior, though understated, is far from monotonous. Depth and dimension are imparted through clever use of forms and materials. A cube-shaped central feature serves as a focal point visible from the living, dining, and kitchen areas. Although substantial in size, it doesn’t overwhelm, thanks to its wooden finish which adds a warm texture and maintains simplicity in form.
“The main color is white, complemented by warm wood tones. The upholstery of the furniture is similar in scale and texture to the curtains, creating a cozy atmosphere within the interior. The decorative elements include a niche in the living room wall and a distinct section in the dining area’s furniture setup, both finished with terrazzo-textured porcelain stoneware,” explain Sergey Bekmukhanbetov and Rustam Minnekhanov, leaders of the Kvadrat architects design studio.
To enhance the sense of space, the owner’s bedroom underwent significant modifications. Changes were made to the dressing area and storage solutions, with all the client’s items now efficiently organized in a 6-meter walk-in closet and additional hidden wardrobes within the bedroom. The reconfiguration also expanded the bathroom area, which now includes a sizable cabinet for storing bathroom essentials.
The apartment in Astana is filled with a sense of airiness and tranquility, while the subtle influences of Asian aesthetics provide not only calm but also a rejuvenating energy.
