Between multipurpose furniture, storage stairs and all-inclusive transformer units we’ve seen a lot of clever solutions on how to make the most of the often very cramped space in small city apartments. And here’s another one to add to the list. It is the brainchild of the Madrid-based design firm Zooco and is made up of several partitions that are set against the wall and can be used as storage, a desk, or a lounge area. (more…)
The problem of homelessness is a real issue across the globe, and providing adequate housing solutions for these poor people is a very demanding task. San Francisco might soon get an innovative solution to the problem though, in the form of modular housing units designed and built by the local company Panoramic Interests. These so-called MicroPADs (Prefabricated Affordable Dwellings) are modular, stackable self-contained units.
Each MicroPAD measures 160 sq ft (14 sq m) and features a kitchenette, a sleeping area, and a bathroom. The units have a steel shell and a good amount of glazing which makes them appear more spacious than they are. They also have 9 ft (2.7 m)-high ceilings, which also prevents them from appearing too cramped. The kitchenette is well-sized, while the bathroom features a shower and toilet. There is also a bed, a good amount of storage space, and a desk. It is also possible to adapt the basic layout so that the units are easily accessible by the disabled. (more…)
It’s been awhile since we covered small apartment living, but this one deserves a mention. The apartment is located in Bordeaux, France and the renovation was carried out by architect Elodie Gaschard of Atelier Miel and Michaël Martins Alfonso.
The apartment measures only 484 square feet (45 sq m), and the architects first created a series of storage solutions, and built-in furniture pieces, with the aim of getting rid of the clutter, which so often plagues small spaces. They also designed a clever transformer piece of furniture, which allows for the space to be sub-divided in a meaningful way, while still connecting the separate areas of the apartment. (more…)
There is a housing shortage in many cities worldwide, which has in recent years led to the emergence of “micro apartment” complexes. These offer small homes, which are just as functional as larger ones, but cost much less. Ivy Lofts is one such “micro apartment” complex. It was developed by Novel Creative Development and it will be located in the East Downtown, or EaDo, neighborhood of Houston, which is very close to the cultural and business center of the city. (more…)
It’s getting harder and harder to find adequate and affordable living spaces in big cities across the world, so it’s really nice to see all the ingenious solutions people are coming up with to solve these problems. The latest such solution comes from French architect Jérôme Vinçon who turned a tiny apartment with a 17-foot ceiling into a four-story micro home for a young couple. (more…)
The architecture firm LAAB of Hong Kong recently completed a renovation of a small apartment in the city. They were commissioned by a couple who bought the apartment because they wanted to be as close as possible to Hong Kong’s Central district, which is a very expensive place to live. They hired the firm to come up with a solution that would make the most of the available space, and LAAB succeeded in doing so. (more…)
