The railing is made out of thin stainless steel net, so it is safe but even smooth and transparent."
A1 Architects, The Rounded Loft
Dezeen posted "The Rounded Loft" by A1 Architects, a firm based in the Czech Republic. Their portfolio showcases some magical projects completed and still in process by these youthful designers. I admit, I'm completely absorbed in their approach, and their results. (take a look at the Black Teahouse in Česká Lípa!) The Rounded Loft utilizes a seemingly awkward space, rounding the edges, and opening up into lightness, almost a sense of floating above the city. Spare material selections push their aesthetic to the new level. A stainless steel net for a staircase railing, yes!
Ladies and gentleman, we are now floating in space & it feels brilliant,bright, and beautiful....
The issue of "boundless“ space became the main motif of our work. The private spaces such as bedrooms are of course separated, but the rest of common activities rooms are connected within one fluent space. It starts at the entrance hall with dressing wardrobes and slightly continues towards living space and kitchen with large dining table, the space is also opened to upper gallery which is meant for guests. To reach specific fluency of space we decided to round off some of the interior corners, which finally give the space its unique smooth character. Due to these softened corners one moves and feel simply free and the boundaries of walls somehow disappears. Even the staircase with integrated fireplace and library climbs up in rounded corner. The railing is made out of thin stainless steel net, so it is safe but even smooth and transparent.
Next to the main continuous living space there are three bedrooms and one study room, and some storage spaces integrated mostly as built in furniture. The issue of materials was another important part of the project. Their main attributes are touchable-ness and pure naturalness. We chose carefully many of them together with clients at stone workshop and joinery. Most of wooden furniture were tailor made pieces. Beige large format tiles are used on all attic floors to support the feeling of continuity. We exposed as much of the wooden bearing structure as we could. The kitchen counter is made out of black granite stone which is next to bright marble on the wall behind. There is used walnut wood for the dining table and ash veneer for the light above. The living space is connected with the kitchen by raw grey plaster.."
"And we, in our work, look for the MAGIC of these little things in ordinary things around us and in things that inspire us…"
First independent projects of A1 Architects date to the year 2003. Two years later a studio and a creative workshop are formed in Prague. Today this studio is built on the works of architects Lenka Křemenová and David Maštálka who initially studied together at the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague. In 2006 Marta Maštálková, the graphic designer, joined the group.
Interdisciplinary communication and searching for unique solutions are the main characteristics of our studio. All of our projects are solved in a complex way, starting with the whole concept and moving on to the interior details and design of utility objects.