Refined Within Limits: A Sculptural Oslo Apartment by Archsushko
In Oslo’s central district, between historic buildings and the soft rhythm of city life, a compact rental apartment has been transformed into a quietly theatrical living space. Designed by Olga Sushko, founder of Archsushko, this 20-square-meter flat makes a bold yet balanced statement. It’s a project that defies the modest scale of the floor plan by leaning into material depth, visual rhythm, and atmospheric restraint.
“This is not my usual type of work,” Olga shares. “But it’s one I truly enjoyed.”
The project began with a familiar relationship. The client had previously worked with Olga on another apartment and approached her again with the idea of buying a small flat for short-term rentals. From the start, Olga’s vision was to go beyond utility, to create a space people would remember. “I suggested creating not just a place to stay but a unique space with a memorable design, somewhere people would instantly want to book,” she explains.
In a city where small apartments dominate the market, the strategy paid off. The pair lost three auctions before securing this particular unit. “Looking back,” she adds, “I think those other spaces would have led to something much more standard. This apartment gave us the opportunity to create a fresh, emotional design with a strong character.”
The result is a home that feels immersive and composed, almost cinematic in its precision. The footprint is modest, but the spatial impact is generous. Built-ins are sculptural and functional, the palette muted and creamy, and soft light bounces off glossy surfaces and curved forms throughout the space.
At the center of the layout sits a sharp-edged kitchen island rendered in pale stone. Wrapped around it are three vivid blue Hay bar stools, one of the few bold gestures in the space, yet perfectly in tune. Above, the sculptural Lokki pendant lamp, also known as Skyflyer, by Finnish Yki Nummi, floats gently. Every decision has presence without shouting.
“I’ve worked within the framework of minimalism for many years,” Olga says. “This time, I felt the urge to create something bolder and more daring. This kind of design is not always suitable for permanent living, but for a rental apartment, it felt like a perfect fit.”
The floor plan was entirely reimagined. A once-disconnected bathroom and corridor were unified with a softened spatial flow. Walls were pulled back or curved. Storage and functional zones were tucked into concealed cabinetry, helping the layout breathe. Olga’s architectural thinking is evident at every turn: “Proportions, volumes, and the overall feeling of space are at the heart of my projects.”
Despite the strong forms, the apartment feels warm and welcoming. Soft Gotain curtains wrap the perimeter. A low bed platform in walnut wood blends into custom joinery and floats beneath long, sunny drapes. In the hallway, delicate leftover marble offcuts from production, cut into various rectangular shapes, are inlaid into the cream floor like scattered petals, a gesture of both play and precision.
“I work with natural materials, calm colors, and clean lines to create balance and avoid visual noise,” she says. “Even when I add bold colors or unusual objects, everything is chosen to feel harmonious.”
That harmony extends beyond the visuals. It’s embedded in the process. “Choosing an architect is about more than style; it’s about finding someone who shares your values and vision,” she reflects. “A home is meant to inspire you and be a place you want to return to.”
This belief in collaboration also extends to Olga’s partnerships with contractors and craftsmen. It’s that emphasis on shared values and emotional intent that makes Olga’s work feel so closely aligned with the spirit of That Cool Living. In one instance, a carpenter brought the wrong wood sample to a meeting, but the mistake became a revelation. “We loved it so much that we decided to use it, and it became one of the highlights of the design.”
As a designer, moving from Moscow to Norway 6 years ago, Olga’s sensitivity to place is deeply embedded in her process. “I spent a lot of time observing how people live here, how their homes are built, and what local architects create,” she shares. “I had to adapt to a smaller range of materials and solutions compared to what I was used to. But I see this as a positive challenge.”
The ability to respond to constraints, not just adapt but enhance, is perhaps what makes the Oslo project so compelling. It’s an apartment that could have easily been just another white-walled rental, but instead, it feels like a gallery of softness and intentionality. A space you remember.
And it may just be the start of something larger. “Recently, I worked on the development of a luxury padel club in Cyprus,” she says. “The idea was to create not only a sports facility but also an architectural landmark that draws people in. I’m also dreaming of designing a public space in Oslo, maybe a café or a gallery, a ‘second home’ where I can share my vision and design every detail.”
What Olga designs are not just rooms, but atmospheres. And behind each is a steady belief: that beauty is found in thoughtfulness, and that calm, when crafted with intention, can hold far more than square meters ever could.
“I want people to feel a sense of purity and lightness in my spaces,” she says. “Refined lines, tactile surfaces, and rich textures, all these elements come together to create the feeling of a balanced, grounded home, a place you’re always happy to return to.”
Editor’s Note
Design: Olga Sushko / Archsushko
Location: Oslo, Norway
Photography: Courtesy of Archsushko
Visualization- @podbiretsky_
Text: Tony Hopkins
This feature is part of That Cool Living Magazine’s editorial series on thoughtful architecture and interior design around the world. While not a That Cool Living project, we are proud to highlight work that shares our ethos: quiet design, timeless materials, and homes built to last.
Design enthusiasts will spot select pieces like the Brutalist Mirror by Dusty Deco throughout the interior, available also online at thatcooliving.com.
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