MERIDIANA
Authors: Petra Zakrajšek, Neža Mekota (GAO arhitekti) Surface area: 31.8 m² Location: Ljubljana, Slovenia Completion year: 2025 Photographer: Miran Kambič Contractors: Engineering DOMCOM d.o.o., Sebena-Kreativno mizarstvo, UVA Design curtains, Svetlarna lighting Furniture Pieces: Seletti, Normann Copenhagen, noo.ma, IKEA, Steklarna Rogaška
Our first visit to the studio in Šentvid reminded us of an era when efficiency in small homes was sought through a saturation of elements that offered little actual functionality. Despite the cramped existing conditions, we immediately sensed a design potential that was further enhanced by the personality of the charismatic owner—a biology professor who charmed us with his total dedication to the renovation.
The challenge of a small space is multifaceted. Every decision triggers a chain reaction of shifts; our task was to synchronize the elements and connect them into the clear face of a sundial. After all, an optimal interior is exactly that—the sundial of our daily lives (Meridiana).
Our goal was to create a spacious and organized residence that maintains a visual division of individual zones despite being interconnected. Simultaneously, we wanted to establish a "red thread" that reflects the client’s lifestyle within the space.
Before the transformation, the apartment hid a small kitchen in its depths, separated from the sleeping area by a low partition with storage niches. The path of natural light was obstructed. The space was almost entirely devoid of wardrobes, and the living area was heavily cramped, overwhelmed by a sofa and a dining corner of modest dimensions.
Bathroom and Sleeping Area
We did not increase the footprint of the small bathroom, but we utilized every millimeter of the interior. The washing machine was moved to the tall units of the newly positioned kitchen. This allowed the client to gain a large, modern shower and abundant storage space spanning the entire length of the bathroom.
In the new layout, we tucked the bedroom into the deepest, shaded part of the apartment, softly partitioning it with a velvet curtain. When drawn, it gently invites rest; in the morning, opening it reveals the view of a new day.
Kitchen and Living Space
The living area feels integrated yet is separated by visual segments that adapt to the existing opening in the load-bearing wall. The cross-section of this passage is clad in dark grey tinted mirror which, combined with the tropical motif of the black-and-white wallpaper, creates a modern designer portal.
The kitchen is designed in three segments:
Lower section: IKEA elements in dark green.
Tall kitchen section: Custom-made in white, concealing the refrigerator, washing machine, and additional storage.
Decorative section: A custom-designed wooden shelf and a niche with LED lighting, which compositionally complements the central round mirror. The latter visually enlarges and deepens the space
The focal point of the room is a round dining table, presided over by a Seletti monkey-on-a-palm lamp—a personal and witty detail that rounds off the story of the home. Wardrobes aligned with the hallway line emphasize the minimalist design, while thoughtful textiles and artistic accents provide the finishing touches to the entire renovation.