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Reviving Memories: Apartment 24 by Ivana Lukovic

Ivana Lukovic's Apartment 24 is a testament to the revival of memories and spaces. Situated in central Belgrade, this postwar Yugoslav modern residential architecture dwelling from the 1970s has been transformed into a contemporary space that exudes Seventies nostalgia. The use of walnut veneer, white oiled marine birch plywood, and white cement terrazzo created "in situ" evokes the atmosphere of that time, complemented by the strong presence of natural light throughout the day.

The thorough reconstruction approach, including a brand new metal construction, has breathed new life into this memories-filled space. The overall transparency of space and appropriate height of the upper level have been achieved, with eleven light wells and two double-height transitional spaces creating distinct areas with greenery and light from above, enhancing the beauty of the implemented materials.

Wooden elements were designed by the architect and produced in a joinery workshop in Athens, Greece, then transported to the site for assembly. The white cement terrazzo was created by local craftsmen on-site and applied in various areas, creating a dialogue with the Seventies staircase and adding a unique touch to the space.

The introduction of a metal construction, attached to concrete columns and perimeter walls, has increased the habitable surface from 97m2 to 110m2. The roof, facade windows, and balcony doors are triple glazed, while mineral wool insulation is concealed under the wooden panels in the roof and facade walls. The city heating system, running on natural gas with high-quality radiators, ensures both technical and aesthetic value.

Apartment 24 used to belong to the architect's late parents, and the transformation of the space into something contemporary, functional, and beautiful served as a way to deal with their departure. The completed space has become a sustainable retreat, involving all senses and bringing serenity to the users and visitors.

This project, which started in May 2017 and was completed in September 2018 in Belgrade, Serbia, is a testament to the architectural and social qualities that were carefully coordinated in three languages with the support of dedicated professionals from various construction fields and countries.

The challenges involved in the project were overcome with a daring strategy, introducing a new metal construction to gain additional habitable space and appropriate height without violating the existing volume and borders of the property. The execution of the project in the dense urban tissue on the seventh and eighth floor presented technical and bureaucratic challenges, all of which were successfully navigated.

The reconstruction of Apartment 24 has brought new life to a Seventies dwelling, creating a more desirable overall transparency of space and introducing light wells and double-height transitional spaces that enhance the texture of the chosen materials.

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