Maia House

Not every project begins with a blank canvas. Maia House is a story of reimagining an already established architecture, where the primary objective was not to create a new form, but to unlock the potential of the existing one. By merging the existing architectural framework with the interior design, we shaped a new living scenario for the house, preserving its character and emphasizing its strengths. Natural light became one of the key tools in this transformation.

The name Maia House emerged as a logical continuation of this concept. Maia is one of the brightest stars in the Pleiades cluster, which is clearly visible above the house during the colder months. In mythology, it symbolizes motherhood, nurture, and life-giving energy. The same principle applies here: light descends from above, acting as an invisible element that fills the home with life, warmth, and a profound sense of coziness.

LocationKhmelnytskyi Region, UkraineArea270 m²Year2026PhotoAndriy Shurpenkov

Contemporary Maia House facade with wood and metal finishes
Maia House exterior with wood cladding, glass walls and landscaped garden
Maia House entrance facade with stone, wood and landscaping
Upward view of Maia House wood-clad walls and roof overhangs
Close-up of the slim metal roof and warm timber soffit

Concept

Light became not just the symbol of the project, but the primary tool that defined the layout and interior solutions. We aimed for it to penetrate the deepest corners of the house, shaping natural daily rhythms and emphasizing the harmonious connection between the interior and the surrounding environment. The design is intended to create a continuous play of shadows, highlight the aesthetics of natural textures, and offer diverse lighting scenarios throughout the day.

Stone wall, dark glazing and landscaping at Maia House
Garden facade with wood cladding and floor-to-ceiling windows
Corner view of Maia House with deep roof overhang and glazing
Tree trunks set in a decorative indoor stone bed
Detail of Maia House facade in wood and grey metal panels
Covered terrace and floor-to-ceiling glazing of Maia House
Square skylight framing the sky inside Maia House

Objectives and Challenges

We set out to design a home interior that would be equally comfortable today and decades from now. It was essential to consider the family’s daily habits, circulation logic, and the interaction between shared and private areas, ensuring that every square meter contributed to the residents’ comfort. The space needed to unite the family while remaining functional, serene, and as natural as possible.

The biggest challenge was working with the existing architecture. The internal corridors and the central part of the house did not receive enough daylight, so we had to find a solution to compensate for this lack and draw the sun deep into the interior.

Special attention was required for the safe space. A shelter adhering to the “two-wall rule” was already included in the architectural design, so our role was to integrate it seamlessly into the interior. Through a thoughtful selection of finishing materials, we managed to conceal the strict utilitarian function of this room, preserving a sense of absolute domestic coziness.

Minimalist entrance hall with oak doors and a round mirror
Double-height living room with fireplace and garden views
Open-plan living room with a white sofa and fireplace
Dining area and living room with panoramic garden glazing
Close-up of the sculptural pendant light above the dining table
Living room opening onto the garden through full-height glazing

Solutions

The facades of the house are executed in natural wood and travertine—materials that age gracefully while remaining durable and timeless. These same materials seamlessly transition into the interior.

To overcome the lack of natural lighting in the internal corridors and central area, we integrated skylights that filled the transit zones with soft daylight. In the living room, a double-height space was designed by the architects to add airiness and emphasize its pure scale.

The layout logic is built on a clear division between common and private zones. The shared space became the heart of the home, where the kitchen, dining area, and living room with a fireplace seamlessly flow into one another, creating a natural rhythm for relaxation and socializing with guests.

The issue of safety was addressed as unobtrusively as possible. A safe space following the “two-wall rule” was envisioned by the building’s architecture from the very beginning, so our goal was to make it visually imperceptible. Through carefully selected finishing materials, we concealed the function of this room, preserving a sense of absolute domestic comfort and the overall integrity of the interior.

Sunlit minimalist kitchen island with a suspended linear light
Built-in oak and white kitchen cabinetry with a black niche
Modern kitchen sink and oak cabinetry overlooking the garden
Kitchen island with integrated lighting and upholstered stools
Round dining table beneath a sculptural pendant light

Details

The atmosphere in Maia House is shaped by materials that invite touch. The smooth sofa in the living room contrasts with the highly textured, slightly “shaggy” chairs at the kitchen island and dining table.

In the dining area, the compositional center is a round dining table, crowned by an accent yet almost weightless pendant light. With a texture resembling rice paper, it softly diffuses the light and emphasizes the fluidity of the lines.

In the private zones of the bedrooms, this motif of softness is carried through the expressive, plush headboards, transforming the rooms into personal islands of tranquility and restoration.

Light-filled wooden hallway beneath a series of skylights
Angular skylight bringing daylight into the oak-lined interior
Upholstered bed and custom wooden bedside table
Oak bedroom vanity with mirror and delicate decorative branch
Bedroom opening onto the garden through full-height glazing
Bright bathroom vanity with wooden cabinetry and garden-facing blinds
Minimalist bathroom vanity framed by vertical wooden slats

Conclusion

The defining result of the project is a sense of complete calm. Maia House brings together safety, a carefully considered logic for everyday life, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere designed to remain relevant beyond passing trends.

Minimalist hallway with oak wall panels and skylight
Skylit oak-lined dressing room with central storage island
Minimalist bedroom with upholstered headboard and pendant light
Rounded detail of a custom oak bathroom vanity
Walk-in shower with rain head and warm wooden ceiling
Minimalist bathroom sink and walk-in shower in natural tones
Spa-like bathroom with freestanding bathtub and wooden ceiling
Striped sunlight falling across a freestanding bathtub