BLACK STONE is a weekend house designed for stepping away from city life and slowing everything down. Set within a forested area of Dnipro, Ukraine, the home is organized around privacy, natural light, and a constant visual connection to nature.
Designed by SVOYA Studio, the new home brings architecture and interior design together as a single system. Every space faces inward toward a shared courtyard or outward to the forest, creating a calm, contained world built for family time and temporary living.
A Home Open to the Forest
The house, with its dark exterior and wood accents, is structured around a large inner courtyard. This courtyard becomes the central organizing element, shaping circulation and views.
All main living spaces are oriented toward this protected core, allowing the home to feel open without exposing it to the surrounding city. The forest context is treated as an extension of the architecture rather than a backdrop.
A Living Space Open to Light and Forest Views
The living room opens directly toward both the courtyard and the forest beyond. Large panoramic windows bring the surrounding trees into view, making nature part of the interior experience.
A fireplace anchors the space and adds warmth, reinforcing the living room as a gathering place for family time and quiet evenings.
Where Cooking and Gathering Share One Space
This open-plan kitchen and dining space features smooth concrete floors, bright white walls, and warm wood details that keep it inviting. The speckled terrazzo island adds texture and a touch of playfulness, echoed by the arched wood cabinets that soften the modern lines, while a simple white table and light wood chairs define the dining area.
Extending Daily Life Into the Forest
The terrace extends straight into the forest and acts as an outdoor continuation of the living area. It includes a lounge zone with a large sofa, an outdoor dining setup, and a summer kitchen with a grill.
The Ground Floor Suite for Easy Weekend Living
The primary bedroom, with its wood-lined walls, is located on the ground floor, offering direct access to the main living areas while maintaining privacy. It includes a walk-in wardrobe and a private bathroom.
A Calm Transition Between Levels
The wood staircase connects the shared ground floor to the more private upper level. It functions as a transition between social and quiet zones within the house. Light and material choices keep the movement between floors calm and understated.
Calm Upstairs Bedrooms
Upstairs, the house shifts into a more private mode. Guest bedrooms are located on the second floor, separated from the main living spaces below. These rooms support family stays while maintaining a quieter, more contained atmosphere.
One of the bedrooms is composed as a quiet space, defined by soft beige upholstery and light wood floors. Sheer curtains soften daylight from the wide glass doors and frame views of the surrounding trees.
A Shared Bathroom With a Consistent Material Language
In the upstairs bathroom, soft greige walls and pale terrazzo-style tiles shape a quiet, balanced space centered around a sculptural white soaking tub. Daylight filters through wood blinds, warming the oak vanity and drawing attention to the speckled stone countertop and partition.
Understanding the House Through Its Layout
The drawings reveal how privacy, openness, and nature are balanced through careful planning rather than added features.
BLACK STONE reflects a contemporary approach to residential design where architecture and interior design evolve together. Built on long-term trust between client and studio, the house prioritizes light, landscape, and meaningful family time.