Micro apartaments

To overcome the lack of space in increasingly densified urban centers, there is a huge demand for small apartments where a small space area can be maximized in order to address our daily life needs. Subdividing a small space, while preserving some minimum functional areas, requires seeking creative organization strategies according to the available space.

Today, there are some interesting vertical solutions, at various levels or within the same floor, through movable walls / cabinets which transform a room completely.

It is important to realize that current trends lead people to focus on the big cities, looking for a kind of comfort that values proximity, practical and functional spaces over large areas with luxuries that one can no longer benefit from due to our busy lives.

It is possible to achieve luxury in a micro apartment in the heart of an urban center!

 

Refugio urbano - 21m² (Madrid, Spain - 2012) by MYCC 

This house has an area of 21.00m² and a volume of 100.00m³. It is organized in a longitudinal track and its height is used to distribute various functions, all connected to each other visually. Go up to the kitchen or down to the bedroom provides a feeling of change and a different perception of space that distinguishes the various areas.

 

Refugio urbano - 21m² (Madrid, Spain - 2012) / MYCC via archdaily.mx

 

Micro apartament - 29m² (Wroclaw, Poland - 2013) / 3XA

The purpose of the architect was to maximize an area with only 29.00m², creating a sleeping area independently. A height of 3.7m it was possible to attach a second level over the entrance area and bathroom that could function as a bedroom.

The budget used in this house was also controlled, using basic and modest finishes.

Micro apartament - 29m² (Wroclaw, Poland - 2013) / 3XA via architizer.com

 

Espectral Apartment - 20m² (Paris, France - 2013) / Betillon/Dorval-Bory

This small apartment presented two challenges: organizing a home in such a small area and lighting issues due to low natural light. To overcome the lack of space, a second floor was created with a bed over the bathroom area, taking advantage of the volume height.

An exhaustive study of artificial lighting was also performed so the space would become more pleasant and comfortable.

Espectral Apartment - 20m² (Paris, France - 2013) / Betillon/Dorval-Bory via domusxl.com

 

Attic apartment  - 57, 60m² (Madrid, Spain - 2013) / Elii architects

Adapted to contemporary lifestyle, this apartment spaces suit all its resident needs with simple movements: a pull, a push, a click...

To optimize space and free up area on level 0, a mezzanine was created with the bedroom and bathroom accessed by a staircase. The mezzanine is open, allowing the incidence of natural light downstairs. Semi-transparent sliding walls were created in order to divide the space into smaller areas according to the functional needs.

Attic apartment  - 57, 60m² (Madrid, Spain - 2013) / Elii architects via dezeen.com

 

Cityhome - 18,50m² (Massachusetts, U.S.A. - 2014) / MIT Media Lab’s Changing Places

City home develops around a central module that features: bed, dining table, desk, kitchen and storage. The module contains multiple sensors that react to voice and body movements, adapting to create different functional areas according to the needs. Its value becomes quite affordable when compared with acquiring appropriate furniture for all these different functions.

Cityhome - 18,50m² (Massachusetts, U.S.A. - 2014) / MIT Media Lab’s Changing Places via idesignarch.com

 

Barcode Room - 20m² (Tokyo, Japan - 2012) / studio_01

Barcode room aims to maximize space of the micro city apartments on which increasingly are driven to live. The concept is based on three sliding walls that can be moved to form multiple combinations. There are 12 different types of walls referring to different types of functions, such as kitchen, bed, dining table...

The walls can be applied on any type of flat, as they work through a rail attached to ceiling where they slide subdividing the space.

Barcode Room - 20m² (Tokyo, Japan - 2012) / studio_01 via blog.studiozeroichi.com

 

Manhattan Micro Loft - 40m² (Manhattan, U.S.A. - 2011) / Specht Harpman Architects 

With just 40m², the apartment develops vertically in various functional platforms. The bathroom occupies the lower level under the stairs, followed by the kitchen open to the living room which is situated a few steps above. Going up a flight of stairs we reach the sleeping area from where there is one more flight of stairs to access the garden.

 

Manhattan Micro Loft - 40m² (Manhattan, U.S.A. - 2011) / Specht Harpman Architects via spechtharpman.com

 

Life edited apartment - 39m² (New York, U.S.A. - 2013) / Graham Hill 

It's amazing when you consider that in can have a 39m² room with comfortable beds for 8 people and dining table for 10! Apparently it is a very clean space, as the walls hide cabinets with all the furniture and equipment to transform this space into a living room, dining room, kitchen or bedroom. A sliding wall divides the space into two distinct areas: a bedroom and a living room.

Life edited apartment - 39m² (New York, U.S.A. - 2013) / Graham Hill via architizer.com

 

Closet House - 44m² (Matosinhos, Portugal – 2010) / Consexto 

The Closet House consists of five zones, two of them completely flexible through a mobile wall / cabinet that sets up the spaces of the living area and bedroom as needed.

The profitability of space combined with technology was the dominant concerns throughout the project; kitchen and bathroom feature cabinets that blend and automatically scroll out the walls. The control of all electronic equipment, like lighting (natural and artificial) is entirely made by an applied domotic system, as ensuring energy efficiency was another concern inherent to the project.

Closet House - 44m² (Matosinhos, Portugal – 2010) / Consexto via consexto.com

 

Hong Kong Micro Apartment - 32m² (Hong Kong, China - 2012) / Gary Chang 

Gary Chang has made several changes to its 32m² apartment where he lived since he was 14 with his family, trying to make it more comfortable and suitable for their daily demands. Through sliding walls with integrated furniture the space is easily transformed, with over 20 different configurations.

The aim is to optimize space, freeing up area that can be adapted to different functional demands.

Hong Kong Micro Apartment - 32m² (Hong Kong, China - 2012) / Gary Chang via homedsgn.com