The architects of the Radical Passive bureau called this project “With love for Alvar and Aino”. The goal of the project is to create a minimalistic space filled with light and warmth.
Living room. Radical Passive sofa and coffee table, Belkin Home carpet.Photo: Elizaveta Kulenenok
Radical Passive is an architectural group with offices in Minsk and Brussels, formed by graduates of the Belarusian National Technical University. After graduation, Elizaveta Shilicheva studied public spaces at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Natalia Zaeva completed a master’s degree at the Catholic University of Leuven in Ghent, Galina Mikhailova gained experience in the field of architectural restoration.
Kitchen. Radical Passive table, Zara Home chairs, Grohe mixer.Photo: Elizaveta Kulenenok
Now three partners of Radical Passive are working on the architecture of urban spaces, buildings and interiors, developing projects for the restoration and reconstruction of former industrial facilities.
View from the living room to the kitchen. Radical Passive table, Zara Home chairs, Grohe mixer, Belkin Home carpet.Photo: Elizaveta Kulenenok
They made the design of this small apartment for their good friends. “Discussions about warmth and comfort in a minimalistic and functional design led us to the works of two Finnish architects — Alvar and Aino Aalto”” the architects say.
A fragment of the living room. Radical Passive sofa and coffee table, Belkin Home carpet.Photo: Elizaveta Kulenenok
The house is panel, so redevelopment is excluded, only a couple of partitions can be moved. The authors of the project abandoned the corridor between the hallway and the kitchen and combined the toilet with the bathroom into a single space. Minimal redevelopment made it possible to enlarge the kitchen and build cabinets with appliances into the wall, which is not visible from the living room.
A fragment of the living room. Radical Passive sofa and coffee table, Belkin Home carpet.Photo: Elizaveta Kulenenok
To visually expand the space, the walls in the entire apartment were painted white: it fills the rooms with air, and in combination with light wood and the evening western sun, it also gives warmth. The objects forming the interior are simple in shape, the palette of materials is limited: oak veneer, white MDF, textiles of neutral shades.
A fragment of the living room. Radical Passive sofa and coffee table, Belkin Home carpet.Photo: Elizaveta Kulenenok
Almost everything here is locally produced. For example, a large light carpet in the living room is connected by the Minsk design studio Belkin Home. On a long bedside table in the bedroom there is a white candlestick designed by Radical Passive specifically for this space. But there is one exception. Homage to Alvar and Aino Aalto, to whom the authors dedicated their project— is the famous stool Stool 60 on three legs, smoothly wrapped to the seat. According to legend, Alvar Aalto came up with such a leg after looking at his skis.
View from the kitchen to the living room. Zara Home chairs, Radical Passive sofa and coffee table, Belkin Home carpet.Photo: Elizaveta Kulenenok
View from the living room to the hallway.Photo: Elizaveta Kulenenok
A fragment of the bedroom. The bedside table and bed are Radical Passive, the stool is vintage.Photo: Elizaveta Kulenenok
A fragment of the bedroom. Bedside table and bed Radical Passive.Photo: Elizaveta Kulenenok
Hallway. Radical Passive cabinet, vintage stool.Photo: Elizaveta Kulenenok
Bathroom. Grohe faucets, Wow tiles.Photo: Elizaveta Kulenenok
Bathroom. Grohe faucets, Wow tiles.Photo: Elizaveta Kulenenok
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