Life on the sunny side of the street : Adaptation and reconstruction of the aparment in Dobračina street, Belgrade

Abstract

LIFE ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE STREET: Adaptation and reconstruction of the aparment in Dobračina street, Belgrade

The initial arrangement of this capacious city center apartment, which positioned the living area towards the noisy and polluted Cara Dušana Street in Belgrade, posed challenges for both daytime and nighttime activities. This was due to the overlapping paths between the kitchen and living room, and paths between the two bedrooms and the bathroom. The bedrooms, in their existing state, proved overly spacious for mere sleepeng while lacking adequate proportion for additional functionality.

To address these issues, a strategy involving cuts and recomposition of the interior fabric was implemented. The living area was reoriented toward a tranquil, sunlit inner courtyard facing south. A residential corridor neatly separated the night area from the entrance hall, connecting the master bedroom, two children's rooms with access to a spacious terrace, and a shared bathroom. This redesign transformed the apartment's atmosphere. The sunlit living area now served as the hub for daily routines, encouraging communal time. Residents retreated to their private spaces solely for sleep and hygiene.

Material choices were influenced by the warm, natural tones of the surroundings, the vibrant greenery of a towering 15-meter-high green wall in the inner courtyard, and the bright yellow hues of the morning and midday sun. This thoughtful reconfiguration brought harmony to the apartment, optimizing space and orienting everyday routines towards the interiority of Dorćol's housing blocks.