FRIEZE NEW YORK 2013
INTERNATIONAL HOME + HOUSEWARES SHOW 2013
TOKYO DESIGN WEEK 2012
BEIJING DESIGN WEEK 2012
Of all the takes we've seen on the transforming micro-apartment, this has got to be the strangest. While I wouldn't want to live there—and indeed, the space is only designed to be used "a couple of weekends per month"—I'm drawing it to your attention for its highly unusual approach. Virtually every space-saving apartment has the furniture built into the walls and the center of the room free. This 290-square-foot Barcelona Casa en una Maleta ("House in a Suitcase") takes the opposite approach, placing absolutely nothing against the walls, and instead filling the center of the room with two constructions that can only be described as a cross between a suitcase and furniture.
Like you, mid-way through the video I wondered about the visible screw-heads and exposed plywood edges—is this place real, or just a concept?—but architect Eva Prats explained it away when she pointed out that the budget was of paramount importance.
What do you think—would a less Spartan take on a center-of-the-room-based design have legs? Do you think people stick with built-ins-against-walls out of rote habit, or because it's the "correct" solution, from an efficiency standpoint?
Comments
This design basically rules out what little entertaining can occur in a space that small and it's not as efficient, considering you'd have to run laps around the apartment to use different spaces at once. It's interesting, but not a very good design. Also, that bed makes me wonder what happens if the partner who sleeps on the side opposite the bathroom has to do to go to the bathroom at night without waking their partner. Either a long step over the bed or yet another lap around the apartment.
Is this not technically a waste of space?
Interesting idea, but make the room visually smaller. Not a good idea for claustrophobic people ;)
perhaps a hybrid of center and wall bound would be the optimum. the issue i have is the lack of an entertainment space or an area that is not a kitchen, bed or bath for winding down or up.
I think we should abandon this idea of microliving altogether and instead focus on urban planning and transportation. Who would want to live in a suitcase? It's like camping, only without the great outdoors. Nice design exercise, but you have to draw the line someplace.
I love the experimental aspect of the design, but ultimately I don't see it as a space I'd want to spend time in.
This design explores an approach that most would consider ill advised. I applaud them for producing it only to prove that it is indeed not the way to conserve space.
It's weird, but then again, half the stuff in my house is built of veneer core plywood with exposed edges and screw heads, so maybe that makes me weird too.