Theo Residence

A residential sanctuary tailored for an eminent entrepreneur advanced in years yet agile in business. The home serves as an occasional haven, a place to lay his head during brief work sojourns in the city. The residence grapples with the dichotomy of expansive glass windows that paradoxically offer limited natural light due to close-set neighboring buildings. Thus, the design employs a singular, continuous wall to separate the living area from the more private spaces—specifically, the bedroom and the much-frequented study, which enjoys the most generous share of ambient light. Drawing from the owner’s preference—shaped by years of travel and enterprise—the interior reflects a subdued European grandeur. It is ornate yet pragmatic, leaning heavily on durable paints to withstand the area's humidity. The aesthetic adopts a form of subtle luxury, reveling in pearlescent metallic hues that intertwine with the home's base earth tones. A stroke of serendipity during a visit to a marble factory introduces translucent marble into the design palette. These radiant slabs counteract the home's restricted natural illumination, although they come with their own set of maintenance challenges. For the flooring, enormous 160x80 cm tiles serve as the backdrop to this interior theater. The Z-shaped wall between living space and private area, only secured at the base and the two ends, adds to the project's complexity. The unique problem in lighting was solved through the use of segmented light strips in dual directions, circumventing the limitations of traditional light fixtures. All these difficulties are meticulously mitigated through calculated engineering solutions, including strategically placed service holes and artfully concealed maintenance access behind entryway cabinets. Each design element is a harmonious marriage of form and function. Whether it's the adaptive lighting solutions or the coffee nook concealed behind a sliding door, every inch of the space is planned to solve specific issues. The design language evolves into a form of sophisticated eclecticism—an elegant balance between classic European design and the contemporary pragmatism of an urban dwelling. It achieves a sublime equilibrium, presenting neither ostentation nor austerity, but a beautiful confluence of both.