The Back Home Apartment, located on the eighth floor of Lviv’s Viking Park complex, represents a meticulous spatial reconfiguration by Yaro Bureau that prioritizes fluid movement and a resort-inspired atmosphere for a well-traveled Ukrainian couple.
A vision of domestic escapism guided the transformation of this residential interior. The clients sought a living environment that eliminated the jarring contrast between high-end global travel and the return to a private residence. To achieve this, Yaro Bureau moved away from the original, compartmentalized two-room layout, which was defined by a restricted, windowless hallway. By stripping back internal partitions, the studio unlocked a luminous open-plan volume that fosters a sense of psychological lightness, ensuring the home feels like a continuous extension of a relaxed, elevated lifestyle.
Structural transparency and material warmth define the core of the communal areas. The architects preserved only the essential private zones—the bedroom and two bathrooms—allowing the kitchen and living room to merge into a single, multifunctional heart. The floor serves as a subtle navigational tool; the transition from warm wood parquet to tactile microcement signals a shift in utility without the need for physical barriers. This layout encourages a flexible lifestyle where the boundaries between hosting, cooking, and relaxation are intentionally blurred.
Culinary functionality meets sculptural art in the kitchen design. Recognizing the homeowners’ passion for cooking, the studio implemented a substantial island topped with Italian Breccia Pernice marble, characterized by its rich, dramatic veining. To maintain a sense of airiness, upper cabinetry was abandoned in favor of minimalist stainless-steel shelving. The surrounding veneered surfaces and painted MDF were color-matched to the walls, effectively allowing the functional elements of the kitchen to recede into the background, leaving the marble monolith as the primary visual anchor.
Theatrical lighting and social geometry characterize the dining area. Centered around a table for six, the space is defined by two oversized Vibia pendant lights that provide a sense of scale and drama. The studio insisted on these large-scale fixtures to create a specific evening ambiance; when dimmed, the luminaires transform the open-plan room into an intimate setting. This interplay of scale and light adds a layer of sophistication that mimics the atmospheric quality of a boutique lounge, reinforcing the project’s hospitality-driven DNA.
Sensory textures and private retreats offer a grounding experience in the more secluded quarters. A partition of graphite-tinted glass separates the living area from the bedroom, offering a visual depth that maintains the apartment’s cohesive flow while providing the necessary acoustic privacy. Inside the bedroom, the palette shifts to a warm, monochromatic scheme. A custom bedside table—a collaboration between Yaro Bureau and local craftsmen—utilizes travertine remnants from the bathroom renovation, paired with wood to create a functional piece of furniture that feels deeply integrated into the home’s material narrative.
Wellness-oriented bathing serves as a direct nod to the clients’ experiences in Asia. The primary bathroom features an open tropical shower, where every surface, including the ceiling, is finished in a sand-toned microcement. This monolithic application of material creates a tactile, earthy environment that prioritizes the sensory experience of water and steam. In the secondary bathroom, a travertine stone sink serves as a tactile focal point, grounding the space with a material that feels both ancient and enduring.
Natural materiality and understated luxury are the threads that bind the entire project together. From textured plaster to wooden wall panels and earthy textiles, the choice of finishes was driven by a desire for “feeling over effect.” Tall doors were integrated to emphasize the verticality of the eighth-floor space, visually expanding the volume. By avoiding decorative excess, the studio ensured that the focus remains on the quality of light and the inherent beauty of the raw materials, resulting in a residence that feels both sophisticated and profoundly calm.
Resilience through creative expression continues to define the contemporary landscape of Ukraine. Despite the immense challenges of the past few years, the completion of projects like the Back Home Apartment—alongside other notable works such as Yana Molodykh’s Kyiv Landscape Alley Apartment, the minimalist Fox Home by Yara Lysiuk, and the Calacatta Viola House by Vilchynska Design Bureau—demonstrates a persistent commitment to beauty and functional living. These interiors are more than just aesthetic exercises; they are evidence of an enduring creative spirit that refuses to be sidelined, proving that the drive to build and innovate remains a vital part of the nation’s cultural fabric even in the most difficult times.