Gold Winner of the International Architecture & Design Awards 2026
Canvas of light
Residential Interior Design (Housing & Apartment)
Concept / Professional Category
Architect / Designer:
Daria Pligina
Studio:
Meaningful spaces
Design Team:
At Meaningful spaces, we believe that interior design is more than walls and furniture — it is a personal story reflected in the environment. Our studio creates projects filled with meaning, harmony, and calm. We draw on principles of sustainability, balance, and the individuality of each client, transforming their daily habits into design solutions that support their life rather than dictate it.
Project concept:
This project was created for an artist whose home reflects her inner world and serves as a source of inspiration. The interior became a visual self-portrait of its owner — emotional, expressive, yet balanced. Color, light, and proportion act as artistic tools, composing a living space where every element carries meaning.
Goals:
The main goal was to design a compact apartment that feels spacious, functional, and deeply personal — a place where two people can live comfortably without sacrificing individuality.
Key objectives:
– Create logical zoning while maintaining a sense of openness.
– Design a full kitchen, dining, and workspace area within limited space.
– Develop a bathroom that is ergonomic, atmospheric, and unconventional.
– Conceal storage systems to preserve visual lightness and coherence.
Target audience:
A creative individual — an artist who values aesthetics, authenticity, and the harmony between functionality and inspiration.
Design Approach:
The design is built around the idea of balance between artistic expression and everyday practicality.
Deep burgundy accents contrast with soft beige and cream tones.
The bar counter functions as both a dining table and a work desk.
All kitchen appliances — refrigerator, dishwasher, and hood — are hidden behind minimalist facades, blending seamlessly with the wall.
The bathroom features a barrier-free floor with an integrated drain and soft daylight filtering through glass blocks.
Reflections and controlled lighting visually expand the space and enhance the sense of depth.
Creative Idea:
The title “Canvas of light” reflects the concept of living within one’s own character. Each detail serves as an emotional brushstroke: burgundy as the energy of creativity, diffused light as calmness, and clean forms as a sign of maturity.
Impact:
The project demonstrates how a small apartment can become a medium for self-expression. It proves that functionality and artistic emotion can coexist in perfect harmony, transforming spatial limitations into a form of creative freedom.
