московская квартира общей площадью 60 м2 Karen Manko

Passing the gallery

A photo: Konstantin Dubovets, Karen Manko

Text: Irina Belobragina

Architect: Karen Manko

Magazine: N5 (72) 2003

In this Moscow apartment the architect acted according to the principle: a lot of light is always "placed" where there is a lot of space. And the purpose of the redevelopment was the creation of as large premises as possible. The apartment was divided into three "flowing" areas: a living room connected to the kitchen, a spacious bedroom and a wide entrance hall. Since the light has been given a decisive role, the remaining stages of work are completely subordinate to the main task. In order for the light to work on all possible nuances and in different tones, the sources of illumination were placed according to optical requirements. This is not only the usual "basing" - in niches on the walls, ceiling structures: even the furniture performs the role of lighting in the project. According to the author, lighting design should be maximal, total: a bedside table is not only a place to store things, but also a source of light. The same applies to cabinets, shelves, headboards, mirrors and even the floor. The texture and color of the walls are also chosen in such a way as to create light and color effects. So, in the bedroom walls are inlaid with mother of pearl - the perfect reflective material. The combination of orange and eighteen shades of gray ("leading", background tone) in the coloring of the walls also provides, first of all, functional tasks - to serve as a "white sheet" for writing a "color picture". “Furniture as a source of light is for the viewer, you see, this is a very unexpected thing,” says the architect. “Especially if a solid Italian wardrobe from a famous designer, a shelf for accessories or a girl's bed shines with colored light. And this is not just a bed with light, but a much more complicated organized alliance: the light emanates from under the bed, rather sharply and aggressively, emphasizes the bed in space, visually “lifts” it, and depending on the combinations of light, the perception of space changes drastically: th illumination interior becomes an ultra-modern, even futuristic, while local light creates contrast, quiet, intimate environment. " The idea of ​​a completely luminous interior works even in the daytime. The “light design” also takes into account natural light: the options of combining daylight with artificial light are specially provided for, and it is not necessary to curtain windows to get light effects. Fascinating play of light - the main property of this interior. The switch barely clicks - and one space is instantly replaced by another, dissimilar and unrecognizable, although all the items remained in their places. And every time the tiny light bulbs, wardrobe, beds and even shelves - interior premiere ...Karen Manko: "I think that an important argument in choosing something is the ability to transform the object of possession, control it. Considering that light is a form-building element of architecture, and colored light creates a powerful emotional effect, I tried to implement the principles of transformability of the living environment. And as wide as possible range ... "