Project: Darvina Apartment
Architecture: Nastia Mirzoyan
Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
Area: 55 m2
Year: 2024
Photo Credits: Yevhenii Avramenko
Located in the historic center of Kyiv, the Darvina Apartment by Mirzoyan Studio is a rental property that preserves the spirit of the client’s childhood while modernizing it for contemporary living. Originally a personal family space, the transformation into a rental required special care to respect the emotional attachment while also catering to the needs of future tenants.
Thoughtful Layout Changes
The apartment initially had two separate rooms and a kitchen. To create a more open and inviting space, the design team merged the living room and kitchen into one communal area. Large windows overlook a tranquil courtyard, filling the space with natural light throughout the day and allowing residents to enjoy the changing light and shadows.
Blending Historical and Modern Design Elements
The apartment is located in a classical building from the Stalinist era, so the interior design aims to harmoniously blend with the building’s architectural style. By choosing a soft, yet stylish finish, the designers recreated the aesthetics of the era, ensuring a seamless transition from the building’s exterior to its interior.
The furniture and décor, while modern, maintain a restrained elegance that complements the historical setting. Functional zones are cleverly divided by partition-shelves and built-in furniture, providing a sense of organization and flow without overwhelming the space.
Material and Lighting Choices
Oak wood in various shades was chosen for the furniture, paired with stainless steel in the kitchen to create a balanced contrast. A key feature of the design is the wooden shelving unit, which serves both as a partition between the kitchen and living room and as a storage space.
Lighting plays a vital role in the apartment’s ambiance, with multiple usage scenarios creating coziness and comfort throughout the day. A mirrored wall at the entrance expands the space and enhances the lighting. Meanwhile, broken marble floors in the entrance area and bathroom add a touch of luxury and history.
The Darvina Apartment is a mosaic of memories and modern design, where every corner tells its own story, connecting the past with the present.
