Oxblood Volumes

Authors’ Comment

The "Oxblood Volumes" project proposes a different navigation and perception of the space within a one bedroom apartment, relying on a spatial layout that prioritizes fluidity. We moved away from conventional pathways, treating circulation areas not as mere transitional annexes, but as active tools for shaping perception.
The entry sequence is built strictly around the principle of "compress and release." The hallway functions as a transitional capsule: the ceiling was deliberately lowered, and the entire area is marked by a shade of red. This physical and chromatic compression creates an intentional effect of weight. The role of this spatial tension is to maximize the contrast upon contact with the other spaces of the apartment—the transition is felt as a sudden release, a total decompression into a bright, tall, and airy space. The curves of the walls erase the harsh limits of the corners, allowing the space to flow naturally from shadow to light. The curved element in the hallway area takes on the role of an organic distributor of circulation among the hall, living room, and kitchen.
Once this filter is passed and stepping through the arched portal, the living room unfolds against a temperate background, dominated by white and beige, with a greater ceiling height. Chromatic accents—such as the ample draperies or the sculptural, arch-finished mask of the air conditioning unit—pick up the red tone, creating visual anchors. We sought an eclectic fusion of textures, pairing minimalist lines with houndstooth upholstery furniture, reflective metal claddings, and classical art accents.
The kitchen continues this visual fusion through a clean linear layout, combining wooden fronts with a bold ceramic finish and culminating with the same curved details in the transition area to the balcony.
The duality of materials and design languages continues in the bedroom. The curved lines, the leitmotif of the entire project, dictate the geometry of the floating suspended dresser on the wall, as well as the wooden panels that visually warm the space. We find reflective surfaces, red accents, and a continuation of the living room textiles on the bed.
The bathroom, on the other hand, returns to and doubles the intensity of the entrance hall. The space is sectioned horizontally: the ceiling and the upper register are submerged once again in red, while the lower half is stabilized by neutral, concrete-look ceramics.
The apartment thus becomes a choreography of color and built mass. Tension and relaxation alternate constantly, transforming habitation into an orchestrated journey, beyond strict functional resolution.