MICRO APARTMENT
Brief
Micro living is the development concept offering urban sustainability via multiple available alternatives on residential living within 350 square feet.
The objective of this concept is to create a dynamic, flexible and affordable living environment, supplying the basic amenities for those who live nomadically rather than settling in one place.
This project was really interesting to research as the brief was representative of a potential real life problem.
Supposedly, this may be the future of urban design creating compact but comfortable living spaces, due to cities becoming increasingly crowded and expensive.
Aims
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Tailoring design toward persona "Alice" meeting her criteria of simple kitchen, large entertaining space & compact bathroom layout.
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Considering her healthy lifestyle in the design and colour scheme of apartment.
Client
Within the brief of this project was a choice of persona to base the designing of the micro apartments interior. The three options provided were James (architect), Jo (fashionista) & Alice (Foodie).
Alice is a foodie who loves nature, being active and relaxing at home with a good book. She’s passionate about travelling to experience all cultures and exercising in the form of yoga, spin and weight lifting.
The design choices for the apartment were made considering her organic, nature and health inspired lifestyle.
Inspiration
Made in the initial research stage of this project. Referred to throughout for design, layout and functionality inspiration. Looking at clever storage systems (built in), managing space (sliding doors - creating a private area within open plan layout), practicality of interaction in & around the space (moving through apartment and between floors and furniture).
Consulted for space flow and general arrangement ideation, involving furnishes and division of living areas (kitchen, bathroom, lounge and bedroom).
Development
Sketches
Plans - Floor plan, Sections & Lighting Plan
Floor Plan
Below is the plan layout for this project created in Vectorworks but edited in Photoshop applying materials and furnishings. Shown is the key measurements of the space both length in mm and indicating the entrance doorway, windows and interior wall separating the bathroom from the otherwise open plan space.
The unit for the aparment provides generous height of 6 metres allowed for a messanine floor 3 metres up distinguishing a more private area for the bedroom.
Section of Lounge & Bedroom
Displaying a doorway, stairs for accessibility within the space & person for scale purposes. Other furnishings include sofa, storage cases and bed above.
Both the bathroom and bedroom are defined spaces that are preffered to be privatised. Therefore when designing the space I decided to create a stud wall separating the bathroom from the main space with a sliding door. Additionally used the 6m ceiling height to create a mezzanine floor distinguishing a private space for the bedroom, separating the living space from the sleeping space.
Lighting Plan
Focusing on 3 main types of lighting: task, pendant & ambient. Targeting them in key areas in the space dependant upon function.
Task - Practical/functional
Pendant - Purposful/decorative
Ambient - Entertaining/atmospheric
Material Palette
Researched materials considering qualities and purposes whilst relating to the persona ‘Alice’ within the brief relating to her culture, style and passions. Alice is a foodie who loves nature, being active and relaxing at home with a good book (explained further within profile). These materials were picked with those aspects in mind in conjuction with their advantagous properties in particular:
Corian - Hygenic/Environmental/Durable perfect for counter tops which comes in a vast array of colours, patterns and designs.
Suede - A soft and some what lavish material viewed as comfortable and chic.
Polished Concrete - It’s cheap & affordable in producing this project (in real life) evaluating costs of materials making cuts and compromises. Concrete floors are percieved as a urban and modern alternative.
Perspective
Created in Photoshop to provide a 3d visulisation. A way for me to begin to intrepret my 2d designs before moving into CAD. Additionally viewing and experimenting with colour schemes.
Section of Lounge & Mezzanine Floor
Displaying a window, stairs to show accessibility within the space. Other furnishings include sofa, storage case, kitchen and dining table. Bedroom is a defined space that is preferred to be privatised. Therefore when designing the space I decided to create a separated space using the 6m ceiling height. This creates a mezzanine floor distinguishing a private space for the bedroom, separating the living space from the sleeping space.
