The Emergence of Wholeness: Small Downtown Apartment [STRAND 2023]

Abstract

THE EMERGENCE OF WHOLENESS: Small Downtown Apartment Living in the heart of the city, within a 40 m2 Vračar apartment, means trading spaciousness for the captivating allure, unique character, and full immersion in the lively urban atmosphere of one of the most pleasant areas for living in Belgrade. The objective was to craft a living environment for a young couple in this bustling city center. The approach involved interconnecting and harmonizing micro-units to seamlessly unite the entire space into one cohesive, expansive whole. Each distinct activity area maintains its autonomy while remaining open to other facets of the apartment, fostering a dynamic synergy. This intertwining and amalgamation of micro-units culminate in a perception of the entire apartment as a singular, complete, and distinctive space. A pivotal architectural and interior intervention facilitates this perception – the reduction of vertical elements by 50 cm from the ceiling, culminating in their unification. This strategic maneuver enables residents in every micro-unit to perceive the ceiling as an unbroken continuum, establishing a profound sense of belonging to a higher-order unit. Much like the apartment's transformation, downtown living here mirrors a sense of community, encouraging residents to actively engage and establish new connections with their urban surroundings.