OTAKAR

A Modern Transformation: Renovating a 1970s Family House in Central Bratislava

This renovation project takes place in the Kramáre district of Bratislava, where a 1970s family house, part of a row of townhouses, sits along a bustling street near a hospital. The primary design concept centers around redirecting the spatial focus away from the busy street and towards a serene terraced garden, creating a peaceful retreat amidst the urban landscape.

From the street, the facade remains nearly unchanged, preserving the original character of the row housing. However, on the garden side, the design fully embraces the terraced landscape, opening up the house with large windows to maximize the dramatic cascade of greenery. The sloping terrain allows for an open facade on the first two floors, blending transparency with the necessary privacy for comfortable family living in the city center.

The interior layout is organized around a central staircase, which serves as the home’s vertical spine. The top floor is strategically set back, generating a striking vertical volume in the second-floor living room. This verticality is further emphasized by a small staircase leading to a secluded balcony, which faces the garden. The balcony, suspended on roof-mounted cantilevers, is the only feature that projects above the natural terrain, providing a unique vantage point over the cascading garden below.

The interior material palette draws inspiration from the fashion brand @laformela, known for its distinctive use of leather, studded details, and a refined sense of elegance. This influence is evident in the choice of materials, textures, and finishes, creating a sophisticated and cohesive aesthetic throughout the home.

The result is a harmonious blend of modern urban living with a deep connection to nature, transforming a once ordinary 1970s house into a contemporary family sanctuary that honors both privacy and openness.