Hideaway Home by ACOS project tells the modest story, non-imposing design aiming to provide an individually crafted space for family life.
The apartment is located in Gdańsk (Pomerania), at the edge of one of the very few remaining natural enclaves sunken in the heavily urbanised historical town centre. The aspiration was to create a refuge allowing one to detach from the urban hustle and bustle, to disconnect from the overwhelming overload of information both in the physical but also digital realm. Hence the goal was to design a hideaway where one can enjoy a peaceful place that gives the users a luxury of the individual interpretation of the time and space and access to nature within a reach.
It is a compact but at the same time holistic design where every aspect was carefully analysed to provide efficient functionality and simultaneously liberate as much volume as possible. This resulted in a solution that seems very ‘shy’ at first but occurs more interactive once one starts to explore its layers. The cooking and dining zone revolves around a large custom-made wooden dining table. This arrangement defines the important central axis, which is concluded with the rather utilitarian concrete module. The kitchen is framed with the rhythm of routed timber screens sheltering the storage and food preparation space.
The lounge benefits from a more generous footprint, encouraging gatherings and relaxation. The space between day and night zones is elegantly finished with veneered panels supporting the horizontal plane of the textile ceiling. Bedrooms were designed as utterly simple and compact volumes. The pale wooden floors and tall skirting wrap the walls finished with natural lime and marble plaster. These form a very modest yet calming environment for night activities. The main bathroom is a room of white microscreed paired with custom-made terrazzo slabs, brushed with very subtle light from the top. The apartment is a geometrical composition of blocks and surfaces entirely carved in raw materials such as timber, concrete, microscreed and stone. Those solid textures are softened with neutral fabrics and balanced with elegant brass accents.
The architectural character of the interior is additionally emphasised and animated by sunlight penetrating the space. The timber joinery conceals the functional elements of the apartment in a very discreet yet playful manner. The detail is almost non-existent – it is purely the materiality of the geometrical objects and the relationship between them which define the aesthetics and functionality of the place. The place which is tailored and tuned for the user. The philosophy was to encourage a coherent and holistic design approach where the boundary between interior design, objects and exterior are blurred and sometimes even lost. Where the scale is not necessarily an important parameter anymore. Whether it is a large surface of an oak coffee table or textile soffit or curtains - those elements are purely a means to frame the volume gently cocooning the user. The simplicity of details and forms aims to bring back the value of honest design and craftsmanship.
