Houzz Tour: A Room in a Communal Flat Turns into a Chic Studio
Once a room in a rundown ‘kommunalka’, this Russian studio resurrects the elegance of this pre-revolutionary building
This apartment had once been a room in a kommunalka, a type of housing in which a communal apartment was shared by several individuals or even families, often with one family to a room. Kommunalki were especially common in the Soviet period, though they still exist today. This room had already been converted into an independent flat by the time it was acquired by its current owner.
“The structure and walls were in good condition, but the same could not be said for the pipes and wiring,” designer Ekaterina Savenko says. “We redid the partitions, dismantled the old ceiling and raised it by 15 centimetres, replaced all the plumbing and wiring and increased the incoming power. In addition, we gave up the gas stove.”
This room had been part of a larger apartment with a typical layout for St Petersburg flats, in which all the rooms open into a common hallway. Turning this space into independent housing required a major renovation. This is rare for structures that were built in the city before the revolution of 1917, because such renovations are particularly difficult.
This room had been part of a larger apartment with a typical layout for St Petersburg flats, in which all the rooms open into a common hallway. Turning this space into independent housing required a major renovation. This is rare for structures that were built in the city before the revolution of 1917, because such renovations are particularly difficult.
The client had specific requirements: comfortable accommodation, storage space for luggage, a dining-living room, a bathroom, a separate toilet room and a bedroom partitioned off from the entrance.
The bedroom-living room and entrance hall have been separated by a partition with a built-in storage unit. This bank of cupboards provides space for two large and two medium-sized suitcases. Additional blankets and other linens are stored at the top.
The flat is located near the Tavrichesky Garden, within walking distance of St Petersburg’s main attractions. The location is priceless, but renovations here are always long and expensive. It’s rare that renovations of dilapidated housing from before 1917 can avoid technical difficulties along the way.
“To avoid unnecessary stress, you need to be ready to replace old plumbing and wiring and update the heaters and their ducts. You should also consider inserts for mounting wall cabinets, shelves and dècor,” Ekaterina says.
“To avoid unnecessary stress, you need to be ready to replace old plumbing and wiring and update the heaters and their ducts. You should also consider inserts for mounting wall cabinets, shelves and dècor,” Ekaterina says.
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The floor in the kitchen echoes the original herringbone, but instead of wood, the team went for highly wear-resistant porcelain tiles.
They also replaced the gas stove with an electric hob. They gave up on gas, because they couldn’t get permits for their proposed solution. This swap is not technically difficult to implement, but it takes time and effort to coordinate.
They also replaced the gas stove with an electric hob. They gave up on gas, because they couldn’t get permits for their proposed solution. This swap is not technically difficult to implement, but it takes time and effort to coordinate.
Due to the timing of the renovation and the limited budget, the windows were replaced, but their original shape was retained. In spite of their deep sills, the three windows bring in sufficient natural light.
The partition between the bedroom and the living room was installed for decorative purposes. The most interesting solution was using sliding doors for the bathroom and toilet room, which allow for free movement in the limited space.
Two engravings hang on the walls between the living room windows, and a larger one sits above the bed.
The client wanted the look of encaustic tiles. The idea was implemented in the entrance hall, bathroom and toilet room with Dual Gres tiles. Italica interior paints were chosen for the walls.
The bathroom is small and the owner preferred to separate the toilet from the main space – a common bathroom layout in Russia. So they went for a shower cabin instead of a bath.
Ekaterina Savenko
Tell us…
What do you like most about this clever, small-space transformation? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Tell us…
What do you like most about this clever, small-space transformation? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Who lives here? The flat is being rented out
Location Saint Petersburg, Russia
Size 33 sq m
Designers Andrey Simonov and Ekaterina Savenko of AI interior studio
Photos by Maxim Maximov