A 1950s Prague Apartment Reimagined

B² Architecture gives this apartment in a 1950s building a new lease of life, transforming a once-cramped space into an airy home where colour is the main character.

WORDS Gina Dionisio PHOTOS Alexander Dobrovodský

Nestled in the trendy Holešovice district of Prague, this small 1950s apartment was completely gutted by B² Architecture to create a new open-plan layout for a young family.

Taking advantage of the apartment’s generous floor plan, the architects reconfigured the layout, removing partitions to open the space and allowing the exposed system of columns and beams to become an integral part of the interior. However, the use of colour, which defines distinct ‘zones’ within the apartment, emerges as the interior’s defining feature.

At the heart of the space lies the pastel-green ‘core’, housing the kitchen on one side, with a walk-in closet and a bathroom tucked within. Around it, the main living area unfolds towards the square, opening to views of the city, while the bedroom and children’s room face the quieter courtyard. Blue built-ins in the study and library further delineate the open-plan living area, while transparent partitions define a workspace. White built-in cabinetry provides generous storage while discreetly concealing an additional closet.

An additional layer of character emerges through B² Architecture’s material palette, which works in harmony with the colour scheme to create a lively atmosphere. Copper details recur throughout the apartment – in fittings, door handles, and bespoke lighting fixtures – complementing the green, blue, and pink tones of the interior.

Although the original concrete beams were not part of the client’s initial vision, they were unified with a cement screed. This intervention visually lifts the low ceilings, imbuing the space with a greater sense of openness. | b2architecture.eu

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