Step inside a bachelor pad that makes use of every square foot — right up to a gallery wall on the ceiling
When Giselle and Mariana of Gutman+Lehrer Arquitectas were
approached by a young CEO seeking solace and a place to unwind after
work, they left no detail to the wayside in marrying efficiency with
style in his downtown Buenos Aires loft. It was very important to their
bachelor to be able to "relax and come home to a peaceful environment"
after working in the bustling cultural hotspot that is Buenos Aires.
The apartment is nestled in an old building in Palermo, the city’s largest neighborhood. Everything in its contemporary interior is custom designed. All the details, like LED lighting, Swarovski crystal chandelier — and an impressive ceiling gallery wall — meets a desire for simplified and highly functional urban dwelling.
For the compact kitchen, Gutman+Lehrer Arquitectas designed two custom cabinets that house all essential kitchen appliances (coffee machine included). Shelves and doors tuck everything away to add to the loft's polished style. "Our aim was to achieve a contemporary interior of clear lines and forms, providing sophisticated comfort," Mariana says.
The apartment is nestled in an old building in Palermo, the city’s largest neighborhood. Everything in its contemporary interior is custom designed. All the details, like LED lighting, Swarovski crystal chandelier — and an impressive ceiling gallery wall — meets a desire for simplified and highly functional urban dwelling.
For the compact kitchen, Gutman+Lehrer Arquitectas designed two custom cabinets that house all essential kitchen appliances (coffee machine included). Shelves and doors tuck everything away to add to the loft's polished style. "Our aim was to achieve a contemporary interior of clear lines and forms, providing sophisticated comfort," Mariana says.
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In this roughly 45m x 45m space, every square meter is purposeful. As Mariana says, “Every nook and cranny was exhaustedly studied to stash as many things as possible.” And it shows — especially in the artwork on the inclined ceiling.
“The idea was for the owner to enjoy this gallery the moment he was at ease, lying on bed, looking upwards,” she says. The art collection was hung with nails, steel cables and hooks — such as the ones used in ships — and strong adhesive. The bed immediately beckons with this clever placement. It sure beats staring at a popcorn-textured drywall. It's hard not to be drawn to the dramatic mood lighting in the loft. Special attention went into designing the lighting, so that certain areas of the loft are accentuated, like the gallery wall. Recessed and computer programmed lights line the top of the inclined ceiling, highlighting the gallery display. LED lights under the custom platform bed, also designed by Gutman+Lehrer Arquitectas, give the illusion the bed is being lifted from the floor. The lighting details continue with LED lanterns “designed to look like a row of candles” framing the bed. A silestone fireplace at the foot of the bed is filled with perfectly trimmed logs. |
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The
inclined ceiling gallery is a highlight no matter what part of the loft
you're in. A gorgeous chandelier with 95 Swarovski crystals hangs
overhead, and black velvet sconces flank the black wooden blinds behind the sofa.
The flooring is an off-white pre-finished wood, the wool rugs were custom-made, and the sofa upholstered in black and gray silk. |
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A makeshift wall doubles as an extended headboard separating the bed from a mini office. All of the custom designed furniture pieces in the loft were built with Masisa.
The materials were described by Mariana as a kind of plastic laminated
plywood similar to Formica, in a dark oak wood color. It was then
coated with brilliant, transparent lacquer.
The dark wood colors were matched with the chrome details in the knobs and doorknobs, to help create the dramatic tone of the space. The walls were then painted in gradient stripes, in three shades of warm gray. The bed linens and draperies were all custom made with luxurious fabrics, completing the sophisticated aesthetic. |
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Angling the bed this way makes room for a workspace behind. A
touchscreen tablet PC embedded in the long desk can be raised with the
touch of a button. Custom frosted-glass LED light boxes illuminate the
workspace.
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Not
only is this kitchen sleek and sexy, but it was designed with ultimate
efficiency in mind. “Two large cabinets fulfill all of the essential
kitchen functions,” Mariana explains. “The cabinets were designed so
when closed, they look as though they’re part of the décor,” she says.
One cabinet contains the appliances: small dishwasher, electric oven,
wine fridge, stainless-steel sink, coffee machine, toaster and
microwave. The other cabinet serves as storage for glassware, cutlery,
pots and pans, and pantry items.
The cozy kitchen island features a marble silestone countertop, 21-inch induction cooktop and fridge. This island functions as the dining table, outfitted with stylish stools made of leather and iron. “The challenge was to design a space that could contain all the needs of a traditional house, within a very small space," Mariana says. "We wanted it to have an air of relaxed elegance, keeping in mind a masculine look for a single man.” I think all of you would agree: they’ve made one bachelor very happy. This loft also won first prize for "Best Resting Space" at Casa Foa, an annual architecture and interior design exhibition. |
