Header: Inna Kablukova
The original Sky House design by Kiyonori Kikutake has inspired many generations of architects. The latest reinvention of the iconic 1958 house comes from Moscow, where Arina Krisanova reimagines the ingenious modular designs.
Modular design by Kiyonori Kikutake
Kikutake’s Sky House is based on the main principle of modularity. The building consists of one room transformed with an array of movable parts that are used as partitions elongated through portals. The modularity is used to arrange the home based on the needs of its residents. The Kikutake-designed space, with its library, served as a central connecting element of the project, which determined the use of other elements in the interior. The geometrical location and colour palette were all predetermined by the concept of modularity.
The Sky Room by Arina Krisanova
In Arina Krisanova’s version, the common space is divided into several zones. A sky-blue room is transformed into the beginning of the kitchen area. This space can be used for quick meals without using the cooking surface when the façades are open. But when they are closed, the kitchen area becomes a working space. The cleverly positioned mirror creates the illusion of an additional window and a passage to a new room.
A similar illusion is created in the second part of the kitchen. Two mirrors located on either side of the built-in block reflect the library, similar to the circular gallery of the original Sky House. The design surrounds the space from all sides but also turns the kitchen–living room into a private area. The colour palette features 20 shades of beige that change dramatically depending on the lighting. Beige was deliberately chosen to create a monochrome interior that would be in harmony with the rest of the project.
Custom-made furniture
Considering that Arina Krisanova created the design for her personal living space, it is not surprising that she was engaged in every part of the process, including concept and project development, material selection, and coordination with contractors. She also designed the majority of the furniture in the room, apart from the upholstered pieces. The dining table, the library, and the main bathroom sink were all made according to Arina’s sketches.
The table legs are inspired by Kikutake’s thought portals, while the table as a whole changes shape depending on the viewer’s perception. The sink possesses a sculptural quality, additionally highlighted by the seamless mirror located behind it. The guest bathroom is equipped with one of just ten ASKO × Maxim Kashin Architects home laundry units, featuring Maxim Kashin’s Suprematist pattern that honours Kazimir Malevich’s first Suprematist exhibition, titled 0.10.
By taking inspiration from great architects before her, Arina Krisanova created a truly unique living space that matches her lifestyle. Bespoke furniture and a modular layout allow the living area to effortlessly shift between kitchen, office, and other everyday functions.
Technical sheet
Official Project Name: Rethinking the Sky House
Area: 72 m²
Location: Moscow, Russia, Residential Complex Prime Park
Architects/designers: Arina Krisanova
Project completion date: November 2025
Photographer: Inna Kablukova
Interior stylist for the photo shoot: Irina Temnova
Source: v2-com newswire
