MANCAVE

In the best cases, I get to see a lot of apartments with a client, before he or she buys one. They are all looking for different qualities, details, feelings, when it comes to actually purchase, while I'm looking for opportunities, possible directions of the design. For example, the gentleman who's the owner of this flat, was looking for central location, small, but compact layout and potential investment. This run-down building has a great location, a corner away from Budapest's iconic square, 'Octogon'. The size is relatively small, 62 sqm but I saw an excellent option in the layout to create something functional, unique and manly for him.

The apartment can be divided to three major parts, a large and light entrance corridor, which is neutral, monochrome. It is an axis what connects the first part (guest bedroom, bathroom, toilet), with the lounge (kitchen, living room, bar). Its transitional quality is highlighted by the lowered ceiling height. Three mixed functions take place in the lounge area, a small open kitchen with a bar, a dining area and a big cushy sofa - all in close proximity, just in case the man of the house is not alone. A sliding door lets us in to the private section, a neatly organized walking garderobe and a bedroom on top, all combined with delicate iron structures.

Besides the cleaned brick wall what was originally there, we added geometrically simple wooden, iron and glass structures, combined with monochromatic surfaces in contrast. By changing the proportions of the spaces to this, we have managed create a nice airy, 'lofty' mood, with distinctive masculine elements, all dressed up with the owners excellent personal belongings, vinyls, liquors, and a beautiful selection of architectural photographs, shot by none other but his world famous grandfather. Now that's a mancave.