Raphael's
Refugium
Raphael’s Refugium — Graz (A)
A former office space, an art dealer, and a bold approach to space!
This project began with a former loft-style office featuring exceptionally high ceilings and a spacious terrace in the city center. This distinctive, partly two-story space was envisioned as the new home for a young art dealer, perfectly suited for a hybrid concept between apartment and art gallery.
The loft’s unique layout made dividing it impractical, as it would compromise its three-dimensional qualities. Instead, the space hosts freestanding, sculptural furniture of high aesthetic quality, resembling artworks in a gallery.
Only two large sweeping lines intersect the space. These lines support two curtain layers: one layer is white, light, semi-transparent, and functions as a spatial divider. The other is solid red, opaque, and acts as a room separator.
In line with the core concept, the expansive window front is complemented by a sequence of design objects: a substantial stainless-steel kitchen rises cathedral-like toward the six-meter-high ceiling, while above it, two handcrafted glass lights float like soap bubbles. Next come the dining table and a sofa, which, being designed without a set orientation, is accessible from all sides – reinforcing the intention of a fluid, directionless space.
The open, playful, and expansive feel of the space is achieved by keeping all practical room elements – such as cabinets, closets, workspace, storage, and utility areas – visually separated from the main area. A “pragmatic-functional wall” runs along three sides of the rear section, housing all daily-use functions and incorporating mirrors that enhance the sense of openness.
Seamless Integration of Nature and Space
Toward the window front, this wall transitions into a lushly planted green bed that gently encloses the room’s end. This greenery appears to flow seamlessly through the glass front, continuing as a green screen outside, merging interior and exterior into a cohesive whole that feels even larger, airier, and more open.
This effect is further emphasized by a single, seamless light microcement floor that extends across all indoor and outdoor surfaces. The generously sized folding-sliding doors reinforce the fluid transition between the living space and the terrace.
