Less is More: 300 Square Foot Apartment
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 03. 6.08
This unit gives new meaning to the term "Bed and Breakfast"- You just slide out of bed onto the breakfast table. It is in a 300 SF Maff B&B in the Hague, designed by Queeste Architecten and photographed by Teun van den Dries, via ::Dezeen.
Garrets, or attics, have always presented the opportunity for creating inspiring space; Gaston Bachelard wrote in the Poetics of Space:
Words ... are little houses, each with its cellar and garret. Common sense lives on the ground floor, always ready to engage in ‘foreign commerce’ on the same level as the others, as the passers-by, who are never dreamers. To go upstairs in the word house is to withdraw step by step; while to go down to the cellar is to dream, it is losing oneself in the distant corridors of an obscure etymology, looking for treasures that cannot be found in words. To mount and descend in the words themselves—this is a poet’s life. To mount too high or descend too low is allowed in the case of poets, who bring earth and sky together.
The architect tells Dezeen that "The strong identity of the plan was created using a very limited palette of forms and colours. Rounded corners were applied throughout to imbue the small space with a sense of softness." ::Dezeen.
what an incredibly lovely space.
Needs a little re-arranging though. The sitting area is under the angled roof so you can't sit up straight, it needs to be swapped with the bed since you lay in bed you can put it under the area where the roof is lower. Same with the sink, you would bump your head on the beam between the upper and lower window.
I want one, that's beautiful.
It'd be awesome if the TV was connected vial support beam, pole or something to the ceiling in the center, so you could adjust it to watch something while you're cooking, sitting at the table/sofa, or relaxing in bed.
I love that there's still a huge amount of empty space in there to move around and that there's room at that table for a lot of people, so you could easily entertain and have guests over.
The slanted walls are brilliant. Normally they just mean less space available that is large enough to stand in, and beds are usually tucked under them, but placing the counters there is a great idea, and having the window to let in huge amounts of natural lighting is brilliant.
I think the only thing I don't like about it is that weird little lamp hanging from the ceiling over the table. It looks very oddly placed, like you would be sitting next to it rather than it being placed higher up directly over the table.
Beautiful for the city. But hard to 'live' in for long periods of time. You need to live out and about so you wouldn't feel like you're a mouse in a cage day in day out.
I do enjoy the efficiency of it though.
Oh My Goddess! I love this space. What a wonderful way to show how a small space can feel so inviting and open. I have an eco-chic daily blog at http://www.planetpinkngreen.com and I am inspired to share this with my viewers. I think it's going to be on tomorrow's blog. The green eco-chic aspect of it is in the small footprint of the space. What a maverick idea!! Chery Janis--Planetpinkngreen.com
but if I lived there, it would have, you know, stuff; things, they'd be everywhere. Keys, cell phones, glasses, papers, bills, incense, bike helmets. It would not look so clean and uncluttered, it wold look a mess, and so feel cramped. How do I know? I have a room in a house, the house is full of other peoples stuff, so my 144 sq foot room has all of my stuff, and almost every surface has something on it.
Isn't this a perfect space for a murphy bed? Love the design though.
Looks like a cruise ship cabin. With a view, I'd dig it. Some plants would be nice.
Aaah yes, an architect finally learned what the cobbers have been doing for years now. Round buildings. They feel larger than they actually are. They feel comfortable and are often 200 ft2 to avoid building codes.
Wish there was more cob showcased here. It's more within the reach of ordinary people's budgets.
Obviously designed for a person who doesn't cook or only eats sandwiches and cereal. Not sure I'd want oil splattering directly onto my couch, and my bed reeking of curry.
i love the design. it's smart and modern!
i love it! it's smart and modern
@ Chris
If I were single I could live there for long term. before I was married I pretty much only used my apartment as a place to sleep, I'd work long hours or go to school or go to a park or some place outdoors. I don't see the point in just sitting around watching tv, get out and do someting.
@Alex
You get organized. Everything I carry in my pockets, keys, cell phone, etc goes on a small shelf in my closet at night, that way its not sitting on something looking cluttered.
Bills? sign up for electronic billing, log in to your bank's web site and pay them. Even without electronic billing, if I receive something paper I simply sign into my bank's web site and pay it right then, no need for a place to put bills and papers. you can do that no matter what size of house to make life easier and less cluttered.
Ok, I've got to admit I'm getting sick of how everyone on this site claims to be green but then will constantly complain on how any space smaller than 600 sq. feet would be too difficult to live in for any amount of time. I lived in a 650 sq. ft. apartment for 3 years in college; I never felt any space constraints even with 2 people in it. For just one person, 300 square feet is fine; the problem is that baby boomers have too much stuff and can't live a simpler life style.
Woot! Go Scott! I totally agree. Crazy baby boomers you horde your things because you always had to share them with your siblings. But what you need to realize is: no one really needs things anyway.
I love cooking with my boyfriend...so I also think is a big inconvenient...and a huge inconvenient if you like cooking with spices or garlic...but it's really really nice!
I would love to live in this space!
It's certainly photogenic. But really, do you want to sleep with your feet to the breakfast table, etc.
People need *space* to live in. Not to be stacked like sardines in a can or bees in a hive.
most "commentors" seem to have forgotten this was designed as a bed & breakfast, for an overnight stay or a weekend. those visitors will not be doing much cooking, but seeking out good eateries. the video on the Maff website shows well the deficiency of headroom at the breakfast area, but it is quite an elegant solution for utilizing a small attic space. it is great to see so many trying to imagine if they could live long-term in a smaller space. as a boomer trying to get rid of stuff and live smaller and more simply all such examples of living small are inspiring.