Russia Houzz Tour: Capturing the Genius Loci of a Heritage Flat
This bright, modern interior pays homage to its historical setting while packing a lot of function into 55 square metres
The Palevsky Housing Estate is a listed residential complex in St Petersburg, Russia, originally constructed in 1925–1928 to house factory workers. The owners of this flat in the historical garden city inherited it from their grandmother and, though they had been living in Canada for many years, decided to hold on to the property and bring it back to life. They turned to local architecture and design firm Duga Studio for help.
The living room before renovation
“We had to practically rebuild the inside of the home from scratch: take the old floors down to the substrate and rebuild them, strip the plaster down to the brick, replace all of the plumbing and wiring,” says Dubrovsky. “But this is often what architects and construction crews have to deal with when working on old housing stock.”
“We had to practically rebuild the inside of the home from scratch: take the old floors down to the substrate and rebuild them, strip the plaster down to the brick, replace all of the plumbing and wiring,” says Dubrovsky. “But this is often what architects and construction crews have to deal with when working on old housing stock.”
Apartment layout
Since the space is divided in half by a load-bearing brick wall with a built-in chimney, radical changes to the layout were not an option. The shared space was changed the most: Dubrovsky connected the kitchen and the living room and added a guest toilet. The bedrooms kept their original footprints. In the end, they managed to fit two bedrooms, two bathrooms and an open-plan kitchen/living room into 55 square metres.
Since the space is divided in half by a load-bearing brick wall with a built-in chimney, radical changes to the layout were not an option. The shared space was changed the most: Dubrovsky connected the kitchen and the living room and added a guest toilet. The bedrooms kept their original footprints. In the end, they managed to fit two bedrooms, two bathrooms and an open-plan kitchen/living room into 55 square metres.
Right at the first meeting, the client made it clear that they preferred bright interiors with colour accents, and that they disliked beige and brown palettes. Other than that, they gave Dubrovsky complete creative freedom.
Dubrovsky says that he designed the interior in a unique style “that comes out of the architectural context, but still fits the present day. And – for me this is the most important thing – it includes well thought-out architectural detail”, he says. “The interior has become an extension of the place where it is located.”
Dubrovsky says that he designed the interior in a unique style “that comes out of the architectural context, but still fits the present day. And – for me this is the most important thing – it includes well thought-out architectural detail”, he says. “The interior has become an extension of the place where it is located.”
In the kitchen and living room, the designer and client had a choice: either divide the already small space into two small rooms with limited options for placing furniture, or go for a comfortable, though compact, open-plan solution. The client chose the second option, accepting the risks.
They addressed safety concerns around introducing gas appliances in an open space by installing detectors and appliances with auto shut-off features.
The family usually has their meals in the kitchen. A section of the kitchen countertop is integrated into the windowsill to create a dining area; it then flows seamlessly into the peninsula bench that divides the kitchen from the living room.
The client bought a transformable table for entertaining: it may look like a coffee table in this image, but its height and shape can be changed. Fully unfolded, it seats six.
The apartment is on the ground floor, so there are bars on the windows. Their design echoes the geometry of the fence around the estate, a mark of respect for its history. California shutters provide elegant privacy.
The apartment is on the ground floor, so there are bars on the windows. Their design echoes the geometry of the fence around the estate, a mark of respect for its history. California shutters provide elegant privacy.
To underscore the connection to the locale, the owners selected most of the furniture from local manufacturers. Almost all of the light fixtures are manufactured by Handle Studio, who use hand-blown glass and brass structures they craft themselves. The artwork around the house is by young St Petersburg artists.
Part of the living room before works
The original stove, which had been the main source of heating when the flat was first built could not be preserved. The team replaced it with a rotating fireplace from Nordica.
They also remediated the chimney before installation: they cleaned it, added a more efficient internal chimney pipe and an ash box for servicing.
They also remediated the chimney before installation: they cleaned it, added a more efficient internal chimney pipe and an ash box for servicing.
The entrances to the two bedrooms
On the other side of the load-bearing wall are the bedrooms: one for the couple, the other for their daughter.
On the other side of the load-bearing wall are the bedrooms: one for the couple, the other for their daughter.
The bedroom after works
The bedrooms feature spacious built-in storage units that frame the doors and windows to make the most of the space.
The top and middle sections of the fronts are mirrored to visually expand the space.
The top and middle sections of the fronts are mirrored to visually expand the space.
The second bedroom after works
As in the kitchen, the storage unit in the daughter’s room includes a countertop that’s integrated into the windowsill.
All of the storage units were made to order in St Petersburg.
All of the storage units were made to order in St Petersburg.
Freestanding furniture was mostly bought off-the-shelf from local manufacturers, but some pieces were bought from mass-market retailers. The bedside tables are from Zara Home, for example.
The bathroom before works
The advantage of this flat’s bathroom are its two small windows, which bring in fresh air and natural light.
The advantage of this flat’s bathroom are its two small windows, which bring in fresh air and natural light.
In the main bathroom, the owners were able to include a spacious shower, sectioned off by a metal and glass divider. This echoes the screen between the entrance and the living room.
They placed the washing machine and dryer in a vertical unit in the guest bathroom, which also offers storage for laundry equipment.
Your turn
Do you like the way this flat’s history has been honoured in its renovation? Tell us in the Comments below. And while you’re at it, like this story, save the images and join the renovation conversation.
More
Read about more great global design here with this India Houzz Tour: An 80-Year-Old Apartment Gets a Fresh Facelift
Your turn
Do you like the way this flat’s history has been honoured in its renovation? Tell us in the Comments below. And while you’re at it, like this story, save the images and join the renovation conversation.
More
Read about more great global design here with this India Houzz Tour: An 80-Year-Old Apartment Gets a Fresh Facelift
At a Glance
Who lives here: A family of three
Location: The historical Palevsky Housing Estate in St Petersburg, Russia
Size: 55 square metres
Designer: Dmitry Dubrovsky, Duga Studio
Comprised of two- and three-storey homes connected like townhouses and surrounded by gardens, this housing estate brings the idea of a garden city to life. This site is a listed historical properly, so it was important to get the right approvals for the renovation.
“The flat hadn’t been renovated in a long time, but its best feature was its historical potential,” says Dubrovsky. “That’s why most of our techniques were aimed at preserving its genius loci [unique protective spirit of a place].”