PLOW is a minimal home located in Berlin, Germany, designed by STUDIO LOES. In a corner of Berlin Neukölln, a cobalt blue linoleum floor signals a radical departure from the expected. This bold chromatic choice in the kitchen of an 80-square-meter apartment isn’t merely decorative—it’s a declaration of STUDIO LOES’s philosophy of finding poetry in the pragmatic, of celebrating rather than concealing the functional heart of domestic life. The transformation of this typical twentieth-century tenement flat demonstrates how thoughtful intervention can honor architectural heritage while meeting contemporary needs.
The architects’ “leftover” approach represents a subtle rebellion against the tabula rasa mindset that often dominates renovation projects. Instead of imposing a wholly new vision, they engaged in a careful dialogue with the existing structure, allowing the building’s inherent characteristics to guide their decisions. This methodology recalls the Japanese concept of ‘kintsugi’—the art of repairing broken pottery with gold—where imperfection becomes the foundation for beauty.
In the living and music room, original hardwood floorboards and commanding double casement windows remain largely untouched, serving as a historical canvas against which modern interventions are carefully positioned. The bespoke shelving system designed for the music area demonstrates a nuanced understanding of contemporary living patterns, where vinyl collections and DJ equipment must coexist with classical architectural elements.
The material palette tells its own story of evolution: from stainless steel kitchen units to HIMACS solid surfaces in the bathroom, each material choice reflects both functional necessity and aesthetic ambition. The custom-made washbasin, seamlessly integrated with its vanity unit, exemplifies how contemporary materials can be manipulated to achieve a balance between utility and visual refinement. The powdery nude ceramic tiles by Complementto create a cocoon-like atmosphere that feels both timeless and thoroughly modern.
Perhaps most telling is the treatment of the bedroom, where a custom-made bed crafted from veneered wood-based panels showcases the studio’s innovative approach to space optimization. The integration of storage behind the radiator demonstrates how necessity can drive design innovation. The moveable Santa & Cole lighting fixtures add a layer of flexibility and personality, allowing residents to modify their environment at will.
The custom table and stools, rendered in unprocessed aluminum and part of the LOES.BETA.GMBH line, serve as a bridge between industrial materiality and domestic comfort. Their presence in the kitchen space speaks to a broader trend in contemporary design: the celebration of honest materials and straightforward construction methods.
