Housed within a modern, monolithic residential complex in Moscow, this 167-square-metre apartment by interior designer Inga Kordya offers an unexpected sense of tranquillity. Minimal in spirit yet rich in cultural reference, the home unfolds as a contemporary refuge — one that bridges fashion, art and Korean heritage while remaining rooted in the rhythms of family life.
Located in one of the city’s greenest districts, the project draws deeply on the heritage of its owners, a Korean couple and their two young daughters. “This was my first time creating a project with a reference to Korea,” says Inga Kordya, who immersed herself in the culture to capture its nuance. She looked to the historic districts of Seoul, particularly the traditional hanok houses of Bukchon and Namsangol, whose 14th-century architecture was conceived in harmony with nature.
The designer sought to translate the minimalist philosophy of the hanok — where every object has purpose and nothing is superfluous — into a modern Moscow context. “The project was carried out with love and joy; we were on the same wavelength as the clients,” she says.
Beyond architecture, references to Korean art and dress shaped the home’s emotional language. The abstract works of Whanki Kim and the beauty of the hanbok informed a palette of “delicate shades with soft transitions, white and whitened tones of pink and green, along with rich burgundy and red.” Rendered in marble, granite, natural wood, brass, ceramics, linen, wool and cotton, the materials lend tactile honesty and warmth to the minimalist scheme. “The interior is built on a minimalist aesthetic using marble, granite, natural wood, brass, ceramics, textiles, linen, wool and cotton,” the designer explains.
One of the apartment’s defining features is a set of custom oak shutter doors in the living room, inspired by traditional Korean door design. “I noticed that this side receives direct sun at midday,” says Inga Kordya. Crafted in tinted oak with bespoke brass handles shaped like eight-petal flowers, they cast intricate shadows across the floor as light shifts throughout the day. In contrast, the primary bathroom adopts a “clearer, more graphic character” in deep grey tones, while the main bedroom softens into a calm palette punctuated by rotating brass sconces.
The greatest technical challenge lay above: a 25-square-metre rooftop terrace originally left completely exposed to the elements. “The terrace was the greatest challenge — located on the rooftop of the house, it was originally completely open,” the designer recalls. The family envisioned a space usable year-round for morning yoga and tea, despite Moscow’s harsh winters. The solution — a motorised cover and sliding walls — allows the terrace to transform from open-air deck to enclosed retreat. Heavy linen curtains filter light and wind, while the space can also be fully opened to sunrise views over the city.
Inside, the 1,800-square-foot layout prioritises ergonomic flow, with three bedrooms, three bathrooms and a generous open-plan living and kitchen area anchored by a central hall. Rimadesio sliding doors with matte glass panels subtly divide spaces while maintaining visual connection. “The matte glass evokes traditional paper; the vertical mullions add rhythm,” says Inga Kordya, reinforcing the quiet dialogue between past and present.
Personal touches root the project firmly in family life. During the first site visit, the couple’s daughters drew their future rooms directly onto the concrete walls with crayons — cabinets included. Their drawings were later incorporated into the design, and sliding partitions between their rooms allow for shared play.
The homeowners’ response upon completion captures the essence of the project: “We expected it to turn out well, but we didn’t imagine the interior would feel so completely ours and simply beautiful.”
Credits
Interior design: Inga Kordya, Instagram: @ingakordya
Photos: Mikhail Loskutov, Instagram: @loskutoff
