Step through the looking-glass. High above the teeming streets of Moscow, on the upper floors of a towering skyscraper, this flat shifts the living space into the sky, seemingly suspended in midair.
Like portals to another world, expansive glass panels stretch from floor to ceiling, offering sweeping views of the city with minimal visual obstruction. The building's unique architecture embraces a distinctive design, with windows gracefully inclined towards the floor, evoking a feeling of infinite expanse. Through its transparent facade, the glass structure intimately unveils the inner sanctums, fostering a harmonious communion with nature's splendour.
“I would like to see panoramas from as many points in the house as possible: while having breakfast, in the living room, when I play sports, everywhere,” expressed the client. And with that, the architects knew that the focal point of the interior had to be the captivating cityscape.
Babayants Architects faced the challenge of crafting an interior space that blends with its surroundings, maintaining an airy, unburdened ambiance. Their goal was to conceive a home that felt open, transparent, and free, fostering distinct atmospheres conducive to various activities.
Glass is the defining element of this interior design, blending aesthetics with functionality. Floor-to-ceiling glass partitions, doors and mirrors grace every room, flooding the space with natural light. The architects incorporated matte and transparent glass, along with strategically placed mirrors and openings, to enhance visual depth and interest.
No strangers to Babayants Architects, the homeowner sought their expertise in selecting a new abode. Initially, the apartment's potential was obscured by cramped rooms and partitions. However, once the architects removed the barriers and stripped away the superfluous, this skyscraper sanctuary's true beauty was unveiled.
Upon entering the apartment, there is no continuous corridor thanks to openings on the right side. The narrow passage leading off to the right is a spatial solution that adds more space, allowing for the creation of a separate architectural volume in the centre. On the left, a mirror accompanies a glass pouffe, while further ahead, frosted glass reveals the master bathroom. This arrangement allows diffused or reflected light from various rooms to permeate the hallway, creating a distinctive ambiance from every angle.
In the living room, a coffee table with a glass top serves as a reflective canvas, mirroring the captivating outdoor views and merging the boundaries between the interior and the exterior. Neutral tones dominate the wood, marble and furniture choices, infusing the space with tranquillity and comfort.
Babayants Architects are dedicated to the art of minimalism, continuously striving to create spaces that are both sleek and visually captivating. They achieve this by skillfully concealing technical elements and emphasising the harmonious interaction between materials and volumes. Even in the most intricate area of the interior, the kitchen, their expertise shines through.
The kitchen exemplifies their mastery of design. Sliding facades effortlessly hide away the sink, storage areas and an array of appliances. This meticulously crafted composition, exclusively tailored by Babayants Architects, showcases a magnificent marble island with an integrated table.
An intriguing black stripe positioned above the kitchen unit is integrated into the built-in ventilation and air conditioning system. The slot itself serves as an adapter for air supply and intake. The entire engineering marvel of the interior is cleverly concealed within the walls and ceiling, leaving only aesthetically-pleasing lines in sight.
The home office exudes a dynamic, floating aesthetic with its custom carpentry arranged in a hanging composition that follows the architect's sketches. The walls are slightly recessed below the floor level, creating an illusion of suspension. A decorative coloured glass piece placed behind the sofa serves double duty as an artistic focal point and vibrant pop of colour, reflecting one of Moscow's iconic skyscrapers.
The master bedroom features a separate cube that functions as a dressing room. This cube design serves a technical purpose; the space above it accommodates an air conditioning and ventilation system.
A striking addition to the bedroom is a chair made from a single sheet of glass. This transparent chair not only serves as a piece of furniture but also acts as a lens, refracting the surrounding space. The bedroom offers a breathtaking view of the river's bend, complemented by the rounded shapes of the transparent chair.
