In Oslo, a minimalist attic pervaded by light

What was the main request of the homeowners?

Kateryna Yarova: "For this apartment we set out to create a space with a strong identity, in dialogue with the Norwegian capital at the center of which the house is located.

Since the apartment was already structurally ready, without any particular need for intervention, we chose to work on the construction of an interior that stood out a little from the typical standard Scandinavian style.

To do this, we combined the functional and welcoming soul of the apartment. Two aspects crowned by the special wow effect of the house: the polygonal window that embraces the living room, kitchen and mezzanine.

We were also interested in developing a project that could reinterpret the classic renovation of penthouses all over the world, which in recent times seem to have taken a back seat, adapting to the conventional."

How did you design the polygonal window and how did you use it to enhance the project?

Kateryna Yarova: "The creation of the polygonal window took a lot of time: planning, approval by the municipality, production and installation, but it was worth it. During the renovation , our team of architects modified the height of the roof and created a skylight.

This window is located above the dining area, as a compositional axis, emphasizing hospitality, meetings and home comfort, filling the living area with natural light.

This spatial composition ends with a relaxation area on the mezzanine floor: here two directions of observation of the city are connected through a window and a terrace".

In what aspects can this apartment be defined as functional?

Kateryna Yarova: "For me, as an architect, function always comes first. This project uses many innovative technological solutions: a heat pump system for heating rooms, replacement of ventilation ducts, since previously all the pipes ran through the attic to the roof.

Now, enjoying the advantage of an open floor plan, all the ducts have been replaced with new ones and mounted according to the new layout.

Various functional solutions were developed in the project:

• complete and fully equipped kitchen;
• optimal planning of all replaced technical units of the house (ventilation ducts, risers, etc);
• a disability-friendly space that considers and includes all possible needs;

Furthermore, according to Norwegian legislation, all apartments must consider ergonomics for easy movement in a wheelchair: the presence of an elevator, the width of the entrance and internal doors, sufficient space to turn around and a bathroom without shower tray.

Having and wanting to include all these aspects, we designed the space also considering an aesthetically pleasing design."

What materials did you use and why?

Kateryna Yarova: "Although the aesthetic aspect is very important to us, we also pay very high attention to respect for the environment: all the materials have been selected because they have adequate eco-certificates.

The wooden surfaces chosen for the interiors give a strong sense of intimacy and comfort: to do this, we used strips of oak parquet. The veneered panels not only delimit the interior but have the function of hiding the technical compartment of the bathroom and the TV area with a sliding panel.

For the project of this apartment we also reasoned on a popular architectural and design technique: a wooden cube as the protagonist, which includes various technical elements such as the bathroom, integrated kitchen appliances, boiler and connections with the whole house.

We also opted for walls painted in neutral white, in order to maximize the reflection of natural light and create a pleasant warm palette that combines harmoniously with the shades of the wood.

Specifically, we used Dinesen panels for the parquet, Lachma doors and walls (a company originally from the Czech Republic) and Miele appliances for the kitchen."

Are outside temperatures a problem with such large, enveloping windows?

Kateryna Yarova: "One of the objectives of the project was to bring the maximum amount of natural light into the interior space, primarily because natural light represents an element of comfort.

To do this, we naturally took into account the fact that temperatures could influence the liveability of the environments.

We have in fact used a high quality aluminium frame from Reynaers, with an energy efficient coating on the glass and gas inside the glass unit, which make life inside the apartment at any time of the year.

The supply-exhaust ventilation with air recovery also maintains a comfortable temperature in any weather condition".