WHAT
Studio
WHERE
Sofia, Bulgaria
WHEN
December 2021
From Rags to Riches – a Studio Gem
This project is located in an old historic building on one of the main boulevards in the city of Sofia.
The objective was to renovate a section of the building in poor condition that is accessible only from the courtyard and make it a home for a young man and his dog.
photos by Kris Shopov
before - after layouts
Before we started working on it, the living quarters were accessible through a severely damaged balcony that was only 60 cm wide.
We installed brand new electric wiring and plumbing and completely changed their layout.
We also tore down the thick external wall and replaced it with metal supports and erected new partition walls.
situation before
What we found was an utterly wasted space on the ground floor of a dilapidated building that was in urgent need of exterior insulation.
outside space photo by Dobrin Minkov
Cleaning and repairing the almost inaccessible courtyard and project area was a long and arduous process.
That is why we are particularly proud of the end result as we were able to restore the noble look of the building and infuse it with vibrancy and life.
living space
We insulated the entire apartment both on the outside and on the inside. We also replaced the windows and incorporated the former balcony as part of the living space by framing it in glass.
living space
The budget was tight and most of it went towards construction work that is not apparent when looking around the apartment.
detail living space
Finishing one of the walls in the living room with straw plaster added a feeling of hominess.
living space
The new flooring is made of high-quality laminate.
dining angle
The furniture was purchased from a well-known Scandinavian furniture chain, but was custom-ordered so it would perfectly fit the space while also being functional.
kitchen
The idea to make the cabinets in the kitchen out of oiled plywood is also a nice touch.
home office
The generous 3-meter high ceilings allowed for plenty of brightness and a feeling of spaciousness.
photo by Dobrin Minkov
sleeping area
The end result is a cozy 23 m2 studio that consists of a joint living room and dining area, and a separate bedroom with a loft and a home office underneath it.
bathroom
The new home also has a tiny yet perfectly functional bathroom.
Small glazed tiles in green and blue make the bathroom pop.
bathroom
photo by Dobrin Minkov