Case Study: Sava Loft Renovation

The client acquired a top-floor apartment with immense potential, including floor-to-ceiling glazing and a view overlooking the river. However, the original layout was compartmentalized, blocking the natural light and creating a disjointed flow. The aesthetic was dated, distracting from the exceptional natural features of the space.

The core challenge was to simplify the architecture to maximize the vast natural light and create a tranquil, multi-functional living area that felt both expansive and intimate.

Studio Henk approached the Sava Loft as an exercise in reduction and refinement. Our primary objective was to treat the natural light as the main material.

We implemented a strategy of Spatial Restraint, removing unnecessary internal walls to open the living, dining, and kitchen zones into a cohesive whole. The material palette was meticulously restricted to two core elements: White (for vertical surfaces to reflect light) and Natural Oak (for grounding horizontal surfaces).

"We removed everything that didn't serve function or beauty. The goal was to create a space so pure that the clients could feel their minds declutter the moment they walked through the door." – Markus Henk

The design centers on bespoke, enduring elements that define the space without imposing upon it:

All walls and the ceiling were finished in a matte, pure white to amplify and diffuse the natural daylight provided by the large windows. Sheer, floor-to-ceiling linen curtains were chosen to soften the sun's intensity while maintaining the view and architectural height.

We installed wide-plank, light-stained Natural European Oak flooring throughout the living areas. This decision provides a continuous, warm texture that prevents the white walls from feeling sterile, establishing a natural, inviting ground plane.

The furniture acts as subtle architectural zoning. A low-profile, custom-length grey modular sofa anchors the living space. Instead of a bulky coffee table, we designed a simple pairing of two squares—one dark wood, one light—allowing for flexible arrangement and maintaining visual airiness.

Clutter management was critical to maintaining the minimalist ethos. All storage solutions, including media units and shelving, were seamlessly integrated into the wall architecture using handle-less, white joinery, ensuring function is present but invisible.

The Sava Loft Renovation successfully transformed a fragmented apartment into a luminous, cohesive, and remarkably tranquil home. The design allows the client to fully appreciate the views and the changing quality of light throughout the day. It stands as a testament to the Studio Henk philosophy: that true luxury lies in simplicity, quality of material, and the architecture of calm.

• Primary Materials: Natural Oak, Matte White Paint, Serbian Limestone, Linen.

• Design Philosophy: Functional Minimalism & Spatial Zoning.

• Defining Element: Maximization and diffusion of natural light.