Private apartment in Osijek
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year: 2023
client: private
interior design
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photography: Marko Mihaljevic
design: Studio Pi (Iva Pauzar) and Regular Company (Ruđer Novak Mikulić)
A collaboration between architectural studio STUDIO PI (led by Iva Pauzar) and Ruđer Novak Mikulić of Regular Company, this interior design project reimagines a family apartment in Osijek, Croatia. The clients’ affinity for minimalism that conceals everyday clutter guided the concept, while the introduction of nature became the defining theme for this angular, ground-floor home.
The material palette was chosen to evoke calm and warmth. Ranging from steel and concrete to light, earthy beige walls and floors, the space reflects soft natural light and creates a balanced atmosphere. The central atrium acts as both a lightwell and a spatial divider bringing daylight deep into the interior while subtly separating the private sleeping area from the open-plan living zone.
At the heart of the apartment lies the open kitchen conceived as both a lively workspace and a refined social hub. Sliding wooden panels discreetly conceal the utilitarian side of the kitchen, maintaining a serene aesthetic. The clean geometry of the monolithic 5mm metal surfaces enhances the impression of precision and lightness, echoing the architectural clarity of the entire project.
Steel, a nod to the owner’s professional background, is expressed through custom details like the slender bespoke staircase. To soften the otherwise rigorous composition, warm wood surfaces and tactile textiles are layered throughout from the kitchen’s sliding doors to a large wooden panel in the living room that conceals the TV and built-in shelving. This balance between structure and softness is further emphasized through furniture pieces by Regular Company for Artisan, including solid wood bar stools, the Neva dining chair, and upholstered seating that brings a sense of comfort and human touch to the space.
