transforming studio apartment

Living in New York City isn't all adventure and dynamism. Unless you are wealthy the way no real person is, you probably have to settle for a living space that is cramped and cluttered. It is the project of Graham Hill, entrepreneur and treehugger.com founder, to come up with an ideal New York apartment—one with a small footprint, both physically and environmentally, and one that offers just as much beauty and functionality as a pad multiple times its size.

Hill's Life Edited apartment is a constantly evolving space. He is always tinkering and researching, looking to streamline the already spare cube in SoHo to its bare necessities. Still, what exists now seems completely livable with very few compromises. Even for a pack-rat like myself, there is an allure to its simplicity.

When you walk in, you encounter what is, at first glance, a small studio apartment. Within that cube are actually 8 functional spaces. The living room and office become the bedroom with a tug of a bookshelf. Open one of the closets and you'll find 10 stackable chairs that go around a telescopic dining table for large dinner parties. An entire guest room with bunk-beds and a closet is revealed behind a wall that slides out on tracks. And of course, a well-equipped kitchen and bathroom await.

The space doesn't only rely on proprietary architectural designs. It is also an amalgamation of furniture and wares from dozens of companies like Resource Furniture. From the kitchen tongs to the shower-head, every object has been chosen for its economy of space, design, and sustainability.

office

dinning room

dinning room

living room

bedroom

 reference : http://gizmodo.com/5967622/the-tiny-transforming-apartment-that-packs-six-rooms-into-350-square-feet

Small Studio Apartment Design Ideas

Mirrors

One of the easiest ways to decorate a studio apartment is by using mirrors. By placing a mirror or two in a small space, you will automatically create the impression of more space. Mirrors also reflect the light, which makes an apartment feel larger. In addition, you can place a small shelf under a mirror to hold cosmetics and other toiletries, which eliminates the need for a bulky dressing table. If you are decorating on a budget, look for mirrors at thrift stores or use cheap adhesive mirror tiles, which can be found at most home supply stores.

Lofted bed

Instead of looking for a daybed that does double-duty as a couch or a bed that folds into the wall, consider putting up a simple loft to increase floor space without sacrificing the comfort of a bedroom. If you have basic carpentry skills, you can set up a loft in an afternoon using 2-by-4 inch boards and larger planks to form a base. The loft does not need to modify the structure of the apartment and can be painted any color you choose to fit with the apartment decor.

Storage

One of the most important limitations to consider when designing a small studio is storage space. To that end, look for furniture with hidden storage space or create your own. Instead of a traditional coffee table, for example, look for one with drawers or doors underneath; the extra area will allow you to reduce clutter, which can make a small apartment look smaller.

Base colors

When choosing the base colors for your apartment, look for light, pale colors, which will reflect the light you have and make the small space look larger. Paint is the easiest way to use light colors in a studio, if your lease allows modifications of the walls. If not, look for furniture in pale colors and choose curtains, art, and bedding that is bright and light.

Bright accents

If you'd like to add color to your studio apartment, do it in small bursts against a pale palette. Keep in mind that too many colors in a small space can be chaotic; stick to shades in the same color family to add color without overwhelming the space. Color is easy to add in accent pillows, chairs, lamps, art, or vases.

references: http://www.ehow.com/list_6734366_small-studio-apartment-design-ideas.html#ixzz30A0LqjqU

multifunctional furniture

I took this article from other's blog and used it as one of my research.

The biggest complaint I hear from condo owners is about the size or lack thereof in their condos. Whether it’s a problem getting their sofa in through the door, not being able to find a sofa that they like but also won't overpower the living room, or just simply not having enough space to have all the necessary items fit without overpowering the room. With less space comes less room for guests and most important for storage when using traditional furniture pieces.  

 

Multi-functional 'smarter' furniture helps solve all these problems! As apartments and condos become smaller in space, or you're transitioning from a larger home to a smaller one your furniture needs to follow suit and fit with the needs of its owner.

When purchasing furniture consider one that has multiple functions.  If you need more storage opt for an item that also includes a hidden storage unit. You never realize how much storage space you truly need until it's not there for you to use. Furniture with built-in storage units help minimize on clutter and makes being organized easier.  An organized clutter free home will automatically make your home feel lighter and more spacious.

 

Do you love to entertain? Are dinner parties on your enjoyment list? Many  women worry that condo living will make dinner parties next to impossible to do. A foyer table or coffee table that doubles as a dining table is something you should consider. Not only will it take up minimal space in your home when not in use but you'll still be able to organize a dinner party without worrying where everyone will fit and when you're finished it'll fold right back up in seconds.  
Or maybe entertaining is simply not your thing and having a dining table in your home just takes up unnecessary space. You know you'd rather use your dual living and dining room area as a large living room table instead of having a dining room table that sits there unused collecting dust.  With a multi-functional foyer table like the one below you can maximize on living room space but still have a back up dining room table when you do have guest over.
 
What about sleep arrangements, do you have space for an overnight guest? A sofabed is a must have for any home. Whether your guest are expected or unexpected with a pull out sofabed guest sleep comfortably and you'll never have to worry about sleeping arrangements again. A sofabed conveniently pulls out or folds down when needed and when not in use functions and looks like a regular sofa. I've heard people say well I'm just looking for a sofa, I don't want a sofabed because of the stigma of how a sofabed looks verses a traditional sofa. Your sofa doesn't have to scream sofabed if you don't want it to, keep it your little secret and go with a style that you like.
You can provide all your household needs with multi-functional furniture. Forget those items that only have one function and opt for an item that looks amazing, is a conversational piece and makes living in a smaller space worry free.

Your furniture should work for you, not the other way around.
Show your furniture whose boss, and demand your needs!

taken from :http://blog.modernsensibility.com/2012/04/condo-must-have-transforming-furniture.html

pros and cons of murphy bed

A Murphy bed is one of those unique kinds of beds that folds down from the side of the wall. Often it flips up vertically so that it can be easily stored behind a closet door. The Murphy bed has been around since the beginning of the 1900s and is also known as a wall-bed or foldaway bed. Many architects have begun to incorporate Murphy beds into their designs, especially in modern condominiums and hotels. They are also found in some mobile homes and apartments. What are the benefits of Murphy beds, and what are the disadvantages? Below, the pros and cons of the Murphy bed are explored.

First, the biggest pro is that Murphy beds can be easily stored out of the way to make more room in a tiny space during the day. That is, in fact, what they were designed for-to save space. This is especially convenient for hotels and condos who may want to utilize smaller spaces in order to provide more rooms and, therefore, be able to rent to more people rather than using more space to provide a larger room. Plus, you don't necessarily have to make your bed for presentation since it will not be seen by any guests you may have. Moreover, Murphy beds are sometimes not only space-saving but financially economical as well, for in some cases they are cheaper than a regular bed.

The cons, though, are that Murphy beds do not have box springs. Rather, they usually just lay on wire mesh, so some people may find that they are not as comfortable or sturdy as regular beds. In addition, Murphy beds do not have headboards, footboards, or bed rails, which some people may find aesthetically pleasing and wish to use for decoration purposes. Also, Murphy beds must be folded away every day if you wish to have much room in your space, and this task may become tedious to some people over time. Plus, some people, such as older citizens or some girls, may find it extenuating to fold away a heavy bed.

Those are the pros and cons of the Murphy bed. Granted, there are slightly a bit more cons than pros. However, whether a Murphy bed is for you or not is all up to your personal preference. Some people quite enjoy them, while others do not like them at all. It all depends upon your furnishing space and financial situation.

research taken from : http://voices.yahoo.com/pros-cons-murphy-bed-2963919.html

brainstorming of 101 design solution

What we do next is design a solution for the studio apartment. As we know studio apartment consider small and lack of space to put things, then each group should have 101 idea for the solution and put it into a prezi to be present in the next lesson.These are 25 sketches idea that i got to complete the group's brain storming , Most of it are murphy things or multifunctional furniture.

Interview

I did an interview to complete my groups reasearch methodology, each group member do one reasearch methodology, and here is the result of my interview .

Ang Fei Xi is a student in Nanyang Academy of Fine Art. She lives in a studio apartment around Lavender, named City Light. Beside school, the interviewee is also busy with her part time job, so the interview is done through online chatting.

Stated that she prefers living in a studio apartment because it is cheaper compared to other HDB rental. Other than that, she feels that studio apartment is easier to manage because it has smaller space, which gives the advantage for 1 person to live in. She also finds that the rental cost for the studio apartment is cheaper, because the space is small and the facilities were pretty simple, so it is relevant for what she pays, she gets. But the problem is that, the place could be really messy because of everything she has, been all placed at the same place, as there is no other space for her to spread out her stuffs.

Looking at the brighter side, she finds that it is easier to pack her things because of the small space. But she said that, “No matter how many times you pack the area, it still seems very full!” The air ventilation there is not really that good, you have to open all of the windows for fresh air. Aside of that, cooking is another problem which she encounters. She said that she did not really cook that often, because of the small space of the studio apartment has, the smell of the food she is cooking will cover up the entire apartment, and the smell will also stay for a long period of time. It can also produce stains everywhere in the apartment and in clothes. Not to mention that the stain smells too. She feels comfortable and cozy with the small space that the apartment has. But it is only for when you are alone. It would not be comfortable for both the visitor and yourself to spend some quality time together in the apartment, as the space of the apartment is small so it is hard to move around, and your personal stuffs may get exposed. She said that it is better for the people who do not spend much time at home. Her things were stored in stack-up drawers that she has to buy by herself, as there is not much space available for her to store her things. It is interesting that studio apartment usually has multifunctional furniture in order to save space. And what she has is a sofa bed. She said she would fold up her bed into a sofa during the day after she wakes up.

How To Design a Small Studio Apartment

A studio is a small apartment comprised of one room that serves as a living, sleeping, dining and kitchen area combined. Studio apartments rent for less than larger spaces, making them desirable for people with small budgets. Because of their size, studio apartments are easy to maintain, but they also present decorating and storage challenges. It is possible, however, to design a small apartment to take advantage of its limited space while still making it inviting, cozy and uniquely yours.

1. Define the space. Decide if there is room for both a dedicated sleeping space and a living area. Hang a curtain, or use privacy screens to separate the living space from the sleeping area. Place a media center between the sleeping and living areas. Attach fabric to the back to form a headboard for your bed.
2. Buy furniture that does double-duty. A daybed, futon or convertible sofa will serve as a couch by day and a bed by night. A three-shelf bookcase can act as both end tables and bedside tables. Choose a drop leaf table with leaves that can be opened when you have guests or folded down and pushed against the wall to act as an office while creating floor space. Use a vintage trunk for both a coffee table and storage. Create extra seating with storage cubes.
3. Create storage. Make use of vertical space. Build a loft bed if the ceiling is high enough, creating a space for storage or a workspace underneath. Install floor-to-ceiling shelving. Supplement your storage space with armoires, dressers and trunks. Corral clothes, magazines, shoes, purses and laundry in baskets. Make use of space under the bed, couch and chairs. Hang a pot rack in the kitchen. Choose one that you suspend from the ceiling or a wall-mounted style. Hang a shoe storage bag on the back of your bathroom door. Buy a shower curtain liner with built-in pockets to store shampoo, body wash and other essentials. Use drawer dividers in your kitchen drawers to keep utensils organized. Keep dry goods in stackable containers.
4. Paint your apartment with light colors to make the space appear larger. Choose pastels rather than brighter hues. Paint the ceiling a lighter shade than the walls. Add a splash of color with accessories like throw pillows, rugs, artwork and quilts or afghans.
5. Purge your apartment of things you don’t use or rarely use. Donate items to charity, hold a tag sale or rent a storage unit. When you bring something in to the apartment get rid of something else. Pare down collections. Display one or two pieces rather than every piece you own. Sell or donate clothing you haven’t worn in two years.

Read more: http://www.ehow.com/how_7886787_design-small-studio-apartment.html#ixzz309uyUn1u

How to Decorate a 400 Square Foot Apartment

Whether your apartment is a 20 X 20 foot box or a 12 X 33 foot bowling alley, a 400 square foot apartment is difficult to decorate. You can to create space to sleep, entertain, and sometimes even work without feeling claustrophobic. Here are some ideas on how to decorate a 400 square feet apartment.

Instructions

1. Stick to slick, streamlined, small-scale furnishings. For example, avoid king sized beds, overstuffed sofas, and massive dining tables. You just don’t have space for this in a tiny apartment. It is fine to have one large scale-furnishing piece in the apartment, especially if it is something that organizes your items, but you should generally stick to smaller pieces. Ikea has a great deal of furnishings make particularly for small spaces.  
2.  Look for vertical space. If you have tall ceilings, then by all means take advantage of it, by hanging items on the wall, and putting shelving all the way up, even if it means you need a ladder to get to it. Just put the things you use the least up high. Another way to take advantage of vertical space is to purchase a loft bed that you can have your office space underneath.
3. Use versatile furnishings. There are some very clever versatile furniture pieces on the market. There are hide-a-beds that when put up transform your space into a home office. There are sofa futons that fold out into beds, while still being comfortable, and there are sofas and beds that double as storage units. These items can be very useful in small spaces.
4. Use sheer curtains and see-through bookshelves to divide your space. If you have a long narrow apartment, you can place your bedroom at the far end and put up a divider that still allows natural light to shine through while providing a little privacy
5. Stick to light colors. Dark colors have a way of making a room seem smaller and cozy. Since your room is already small, you want to choose a paint color that has the opposite effect. Soft light colors to consider are butter yellow, silver blue, and pale green.

Read more: http://www.ehow.com/how_2285246_decorate-400-square-foot-apartment.html#ixzz309sgdjrK

disadvantages research

Continuing my research before. There are also disadvantages of living in studio apartment. Limited space become one of the major issue, because there are no enough storage room. It could easily end up with noisy neighbour the space between each units. And having guests over could be a problem because it's not big enough to load people . And since It's not your property, so you are not in control.

References:

http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/what-are-the-disadvantages-of-living-in-an-apartment#axzz2sukYQ5J9

http://homeguides.sfgate.com/disadvantages-apartment-living-44989.html

http://shailesh143.wordpress.com/2010/12/16/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-studio-apartments/

advantages research

I did research on what the advantages of live in a studio apartment and here are some advantages. First, we don't have to share the room with the others so we can have our own privacy . If we live in a hostel or whatever it is, we have to share with the other. It might have a room for one person but it must be expensive and what you get is just a bedroom. So it can save your rent money too, because when you rent a studio apartment, what you get is a bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen and some spaces for put the furniture in. But, if rent a normal apartment it must be much more expensive. Live in a studio apartment also helped you to be multitasking, since everything is in the same room you're in. You know how annoying it is when you have to do something and have to walk to move to the other room, with everything in one room and within reach, cooking, cleaning and even watching can all be done without having to switch rooms. Studio apartment has not much space to be clean, it also less space to be furnish then you're foreced to have less and buy less. And last but not least is lower electricity bill, because the number of lamp and other electronic stuffs also less.

references:

http://www.stretcher.com/stories/09/09mar23a.cfm

http://apartments.about.com/od/apartmenthunting/a/studiooronebedroom.htm

http://shailesh143.wordpress.com/2010/12/16/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-studio-apartments/

Unfolding Apartment

Almost all studio apartment in over the world are small , so do in Manhattan . In 2005 , Eric Schneider bought an studio apartment sized 400sqft which was basically an open rectangular space and only comes with a tiny kitchen , when he also need a bed room, living room , dinning room . But the space he has was only a small space and not really an enough room to have a real bed room for sleep and living room . But then these small apartment can transform and has 4 rooms in it .

He let architects Michael Chen and Kari Anderson designed his small apartment. they created an object that’s bigger than furniture, but smaller than architecture and that morphs with the changing activities of a day. It's a a large, blue, oversized cabinet that houses all of the walls, bed, tables, shelving, closets needed for at least 4 full-sized rooms.

The wall can be open up as a desk which is can be functioned as bar also

To create a bedroom, the cabinet door swings out to create a wall dividing the living room from the sleeping area, then the bed folds down revealing a built-in nightstand complete with lighting.

The idea comes from the Japanese sense of space which called as Origami Apartment . And they call this creation as Unfolding Apartment. In my opinion the Origami Apartment help much to save the space and makes your tiny apartment looks bigger also has many rooms inside .

reference :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RbxkrmuQ5E

Empathizing, As an Architect

It is believed that the size of studio apartments in Singapore is not sufficient for some people. From my point of view as an architect, even if it is small the studio apartment has its own advantages and disadvantages. For me living in a studio apartment give me a very settle feeling.     It’s cheaper rather than if we have to rental the apartment. Because it’s smaller so the space –to be cleaned is less and also not wasting too much time. This type of apartment is suitable for those who live alone and easy to multitask because kitchen and all of every part in the usual apartment made into one room. However, as an architect i need a bigger table but this type of apartment do not fit in this place as the space is too small. Also there is no space to keep all of my records work since there is no repository. In conclusion, living in a studio type of apartment can give you so many advantages and disadvantages. I think it depends on your own, if you are planning to live alone, it is better to live in a studio apartment as it’s enough for yourself.

about studio apartment

Studio apartments offer compact, relatively affordable housing for students and other adults living in urban or high-priced areas. One-room studio apartments offer a number of benefits to residents, as well as the challenges of living in a small space. In some areas, studio apartments are only used by people who cannot afford larger living arrangements, but for others, studio apartments are the latest in designer chic.

Features  

Studio apartments have a single main room that serves as a bedroom, living room and dining room. Many apartments also include a compact kitchen, or kitchenette, in the same room. In some cases, the kitchen can be hidden behind closet-style doors. Most studio apartments have their own bathroom, although some types of efficiency and low-cost studio apartments may only offer shared bathroom facilities on each floor. Some studios include a small changing room next to the bathroom, and others may even include compact washers and dryers. Some studio apartments feature an alcove, or L-shaped main room, for the resident to use as a semi-separate bedroom, dining room or office area.

Benefits

Because of the compact size, studio apartments typically rent or sell for less than other types of housing. In many areas, rates for studio apartments are even lower than for one bedroom apartments with similar square footage. This allows many people, such as students, to rent apartments when they couldn't otherwise afford housing in a particular area. Although some people find the lack of a separate bedroom to be a drawback, others prefer the convenience of having only one main room to organize and maintain, and enjoy the challenge of living in a small space.

Size 

Most studio apartments range in size from 300 to 600 square feet. This includes the main room, as well as the kitchen and bathroom, if included. In order to live and, in some cases, study or work in this amount of square footage, most studio apartment dwellers must maximize the space by using compact furniture and efficient storage systems. Some studio apartment residents choose to divide the space into several smaller-sized areas for each "room" or function, either through physical room dividers or through the arrangement of furniture.

Significance

Studio apartments generally house a single person, although some rental or ownership agreements allow a couple, roommates, or and adult and child to live there. Studio apartments are typically associated with students and young adults, although they may also be popular with artists or urban professionals. Some studio apartment complexes concentrate on offering affordable housing, while others cater to design-conscious customers looking for a compact space in a luxurious area. 

references: http://www.ehow.com/about_4567932_studio-apartments.html#ixzz307FlMoWH

STUDIO APARTMENT HAS LIMITED SPACE

This is the beggining of my blog in the second semester for design process . The lecture gave us many topics and each group had to choose one topic to be discuss and my group choose "studio apartment has limited space" . Base on my first research the size of studio apartments in Singapore are around 400-500 square feet which combines living room, bedroom , and kitchen into a singe room . But some of the apartments has 2 bedroom . If you want to purchase a studio apartment , you must be at least 55 years old .