A 75sqm Apartment Reimagined

Reimagined Apartment - Bedroom #2

Ola,

This morning I came across an interesting article on ArchDaily - Flinders Lane Apartment / Clare Cousins Architects.

This project was to 'reimagine' a 75m² (807.293 sq.ft) apartment for a young family.  The apartment is located in a heritage-listed building in Melborne CBD (Central Business District).  The clients were expecting their first child and wanted to convert the existing one bedroom apartment into a space suited to their needs.

Reimagined Apartment - Building in Melbourne CBD

The two bedrooms were inspired by traditional Japanese houses. The first bedroom was based on the length of a single bed and just 2m wide (6.56 ft).  In the second bedroom, the mattress only bed is supported by a raised platform.  Sliding screens allow the room to be open visually and provides additional seating to the living space.  It can be transformed to a private zone by sliding the screens closed.

Reimagined Apartment - Bedroom #1

With a footprint of 25m² (269 sq. ft) per person, this design minimizes the sleeping areas and maximizes the living and social spaces to be enjoyed by the young family.

Reimagined Apartment - Bathroom

The young family's small space and modest budget has been maximized by efficient spatial planning and the creative composition of commonly available materials.

Reimagined Apartment - Living Area

The use of plywood enhances the perception of space, as well as providing dual cost benefits; plywood is affordable and readily available and most of the joinery was designed to be constructed by a carpenter, further minimizing construction costs.

I am a serious advocate of living spaces with a small footprint.  BRAVO to the architects on this project!

- Eddy

Australia’s First Flat-Pack Apartment Building

Ola!!!

In my last post entitled - FabCab | Spaces For Changing Needs, I talked about FabCab and how they design and sell Environmentally Friendly Pre-Fabricated Homes and Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).

This week, I read an article on Australia's first Flat-Pack (Modular) Apartment Building on DESIGNBUILDSOURCE.COM.AU. 

Modular Apartment Building - Wayfarers

The two-story modular apartment building, dubbed the Wayfarers, will feature two, three and four-bedroom apartments and is expected to be completed in an amazing five weeks as opposed to the six months it would generally take to build such a project using traditional means.

In my post entitled - FabCab | Spaces For Changing Needs, I noted the differences between modular versus traditional building:

"Modular Homes are built to the same IRC building codes and State Building Codes that site built homes are. The difference is that all Modular Homes are built in a controlled environment and third party inspected at the factory before they are delivered to your site to make sure they comply with all local building codes. Site built homes are constructed out in the elements and only have the electrical system inspected unless you are in a code-enforced area. The contractor may say it is built to the IRC code but no one is inspecting the home to make sure it actually is. 

Modular homes are built with the efficiency and quality control only found using factory assembly line techniques. Each home travels through departments staffed with specialized workers who represent every building trade. Work is never delayed by weather, subcontractor no-shows or missing material. Materials are also protected from the weather instead of being piled outside. The average typical waste of building a 2,000 sq ft. home is in excess of 8,000 pounds. In Modular Home construction that waste can be recycled. 

Quality engineering and modular construction techniques significantly increase the energy efficiency of modular homes. After Hurricane Andrew, a FEMA study showed that system built (Modular Homes) construction stood up better than site built homes in the storm-ravaged Dade County. “Overall relatively minimal structural damage was noted in system-built homes. System-built construction provides an inherently rigid system that performed much better than conventional residential framing.” Along with quality control processes, inspectors and code compliance you are assured your new home will be every thing you dream it will be. "  - Anderson Homes, Inc. 

After writing about FabCab and their modular homes, I wondered why there aren't any modular apartments?  Be careful what you ask for!!!!

What are your opinions on modular building?

Do you think this will replace traditional building?

Let us know!!!!

Sustainable Expectations: An Interior Perspective

Ola!!!

As you all know, I am a serious advocate of SUSTAINABILITY in Interior Design.

Recently, I have been reading in various publications that sustainability is a trend and not very important to consumers here in the United States.  It made me sad to read this, but it has given me even more impetus to always include sustainability in my design projects.  Living here in Hawai'i, where we are always so close to nature, one realizes that we are all connected to everything here on this planet.  

This week, I came across an article entitled: Sustainable Expectations: An Interior Perspective, by  Angela Fedele, Interior Design Source.

In the article, it discusses Sustainability in Australia:

“The ‘trend’ face of sustainability at its most accessible is up-cycling because the concept of reuse is becoming more and more important to consumers whose focus has shifted from brand new and replaceable pieces to one off or hand made pieces,” Palmer explains.  

Darren Palmer, Designer. Image Courtesy The Interiors Addict

Green Interior Design is basis of my work and, while writing this blog entry, it brings to mind  my favorite quote and life mantra which is so dear to my heart:

"You must be the change you want to see in the world.” 

                                                                    - Mahatma Ghandi

Do you feel that sustainability is a passing trend?

What is the view of sustainability in your country?

Please share!!!