Vivid 284 m² cultural and art center Prostor in Moscow | Angelina Borodkina

The cultural and art center Prostor in Moscow is conceived as a place where children and adults can explore arts and crafts in an environment that encourages observation and curiosity. Architect Angelina Borodkina approached the interior as a carefully composed creative setting, where each element — from finishes to furniture — forms part of a broader visual and emotional narrative.

The concept develops the idea of learning to look closely at beauty — to notice colour, texture, and the stories embedded in objects. The interior brings together references to Giotto’s ultramarine blue, the mosaics of Ravenna’s cathedrals, the spirit of 1970s Prada, artists’ studios, the graphic world of Soviet children’s books, and natural motifs. For the founders, it was essential that the atmosphere feel warm and tactile, shaped by handcrafted pieces and objects “with memory”.

Prostor hosts courses in woodworking, mosaic, ceramics, interior sculpture, and painting, a programme that informed the spatial logic from the outset. The interior needed to remain flexible and transformable, adapting to different formats of study and exhibition. As Borodkina notes, the challenge was to preserve the authenticity of a working studio while integrating well-considered systems for lighting, storage, and display, and ensuring everyday practicality.

The total area of the center is 284 m². The entrance — narrow and constrained by load-bearing structures — initially appeared to be a limitation, but ultimately became the starting point of the spatial concept. The architect deepened the entrance zone and divided the interior into several stepped terraces, allowing movement through the space to unfold gradually rather than abruptly.

The ceremonial character of the main entrance portal is defined by a vivid coloured mosaic by Quintessenza Ceramiche from Fiorano, Italy. Installed over four months through daily, meticulous work, it sets the tone for the entire interior — expressive yet carefully calibrated.

Finishes throughout rely on natural, tactile materials, with wood playing a central role and reinforcing the workshop-like character of the space. Many elements were created or sourced from Russian brands: the sofa and storage system in the common area were produced by the Kazan-based brand Yaratam; shelving in the ceramics workshop was made by Delo Design; and several furniture pieces and accessories were created by GK Concept. Other carpentry elements were custom-made according to Borodkina’s sketches.

Alongside newly produced pieces, the interior incorporates items from the founders’ personal collections — rare books, a graphic work by Malyavin, Lie-Nielsen hand planes, and an antique chest — adding an intimate, personal layer to the narrative of the space.

The lighting concept was developed in collaboration with the Kazan-based studio Idea Concept. The team designed several atmospheric scenarios and custom filter lamps, one of which also forms part of the exterior signage. Beyond the expressive entrance portal, corridors are articulated by rhythmic lighting using Dioscuri sphere lamps by Michele De Lucchi for Artemide, while in the evenings the more intimate atmosphere of the art workshops is supported by Flos wall lights.

In the kitchen-living area, the focal point is Ingo Maurer’s Zettel’z — a light object made of semi-transparent Japanese paper, stainless steel, and heat-resistant satin glass. Forty printed sheets featuring declarations of love in different languages are paired with forty blank pages that Prostor’s guests are invited to fill with their own sketches and messages.

The idea of attentive observation extends outdoors as well. The small landscaped area at the entrance was designed by Viktoria Bazoeva and her bureau Botanical Conspiracy. The planters include geum varieties, ornamental allium, strawberry, mint, catnip, sage, sanguisorba, and dahlias — a composition inspired by the tradition of historic Moscow front gardens and carefully maintained courtyards.

Reflecting on the result, Angelina Borodkina describes Prostor as a space designed to sustain energy, inspiration, and motivation — a place where the learning process naturally grows out of the environment that surrounds it. 

Architect Angelina Borodkina 

Instagram @angelina_borodkina 

Photo credit Varvara Toplennikova

Instagram @varvara__top 

Photo credit Diana Khakimova 

Instagram @di_artappetit