- Interior
- Architecture & development
A calm apartment without superfluities but with a natural feel, that is what the client of Hi Atelier was looking for. This wish became completely fulfilled; an open yet warm feel welcomes everyone who enters Naoka Apartment. The careful furnishing makes for a perfect balance between too little and enough.
Hi Atelier was founded in 2020 by Ihor Havrylenko. With his studio he focuses on architecture, residential and commercial interiors, and more. This project in Kyiv offered him the opportunity to unite his sensory and shaped design style with his customer’s love for minimalism. Therefore, the studio searched for a modern sensibility that would make the apartment, which comprises about 93 square metres, a clean home base that presents simplicity in an interesting way. Important for this was that the resident could establish a special connection with the final design, and this turned out to be anything but a problem.
The neutral palette is strengthened by controlled colour details in the right places.
Considering that the apartment is located on the eighteenth floor, it is only logical that the view of the city is framed by a panoramic window next to the custom bed. The natural white linen invites for a peaceful night rest, while the nearby bathroom continues the neutral palette. Namely, here you find a sink out of grey stone and stainless steel. Another returning material is wood; the built-in furniture is made of his, and the bedside table is made of restored wood. Besides, think in the case of the first of a portal, open shelves, and storage space. Moreover, the living area has a wooden built-in console that forms a small workspace and books storage. 
What is striking is that the apartment convincingly leans towards an open space. By means of a curtain you can either divide the living area and kitchen or merge them into one space. This attention to openness is a reference to both Crimean and Turkish culture. The latter is also reflected in the painted ceramic tiles; a colourful element that was purposefully aligned with the further minimalistic whole. By incorporating a few well-chosen decorative details, the studio gave the balanced colour components the chance to enrich the design. The furniture was another way to create a clear identity. The sofa in the living area, for example, contains modular parts that you can arrange as you wish.
Naoka Apartment is truly a project that supports the client and their identity. The neutral palette is strengthened by controlled colour details in the right places. Thanks to the strong architectural shapes, the minimalistic approach avoids that the design remains too neutral, and the choice for wood definitely adds a permanent warm element. 
Photography by Ihor Havrylenko