G21-2 Flat by Kuklica Smerek Architekti: A Refined Urban Retreat in Bratislava

 Architects: Kuklica Smerek architekti 

A Functional Dual-Purpose Apartment in the Heart of Bratislava

Located on Grosslingová Street, the G21-2 Flat is a thoughtfully renovated urban apartment designed by Kuklica Smerek architekti. Intended primarily as a functional live-work space for the owner during his stays in Slovakia, the flat also transforms into a cozy retreat for family weekends and holidays. The design bridges the gap between professional productivity and domestic comfort, embodying a flexible, contemporary lifestyle in a compact 80-square-meter footprint.

Optimized Layout: A Shift Toward Spatial Generosity

The architects reimagined the original layout to craft a spacious multifunctional living area that overlooks the lively street. Meanwhile, the bedroom was relocated to the rear of the apartment, facing a quiet courtyard. This strategic spatial shift ensures tranquility for rest while maximizing daylight and openness in the primary living zone.

A continuous custom-built wardrobe wall, running the full length of the apartment, serves as both a visual anchor and a multi-functional divider—separating the hallway and living areas while accommodating storage, a kitchen, library, and wardrobe in a single unified gesture.

A Room Within a Room: The Semicircular Curtain Element

The centerpiece of the living room is an innovative semicircular curtain—a flexible textile intervention that creates a "room within a room." This dynamic feature functions as a temporary guest space, particularly ideal for children's sleepovers. It adds spatial fluidity, softens acoustics, and enhances privacy without permanent partitioning, echoing current trends in adaptable interior design.

Light and Atmosphere: Subtle and Sculptural

Light plays a central role in defining the atmosphere of the G21-2 Flat. Above the long wardrobe wall, a series of roof skylights invite natural light deep into the interior, brightening even the hallway and bathroom—spaces that are traditionally devoid of daylight. In the evening, indirect lighting from hidden reflectors built into the custom furniture provides a warm, intimate glow, reinforcing a sense of calm and relaxation.

A notable architectural move includes replacing a standard partition with glass concrete blocks, establishing a soft visual connection between the bedroom and the bathroom. This not only increases the transparency of the plan but also introduces natural light into formerly enclosed spaces. Curtains allow the user to modulate privacy as needed.

Honest Materials and Natural Tones

The design embraces a raw material palette that emphasizes authenticity and tactility. Untreated plaster walls, stainless steel surfaces, visible concrete lintels, and oak flooring combine to deliver a palette that feels both robust and serene. The furniture, kept in natural shades, complements the architectural simplicity while offering textural warmth.

By minimizing surface treatments, the architects highlight the natural aging and evolution of materials, an approach grounded in sustainable and honest design thinking.

A Minimalist, Multi-functional Urban Living Experience

The G21-2 Flat by Kuklica Smerek architekti is a testament to spatial clarity, material honesty, and functional elegance. It masterfully integrates work and living environments while supporting family life through flexibility and refined spatial planning. The project illustrates how small-scale urban apartments can be highly personalized, adaptable, and atmospheric, offering a compelling model for contemporary inner-city living.

All photographs are works of Matej Hakár