00:03The design concept was to use custom furniture in order to create an open space.
00:09For this, we teamed up with a product designer that helped us to conceive a set of slide and fold
00:15furniture pieces
00:16that can be used for multiple purposes, but can be hidden away when not in use.
00:30We sought references of projects from Asia, where there is a dense population.
00:35Asia has a long history of designing small spaces, and we researched their methods and solutions.
00:47The apartment is located in Consolação, São Paulo, Brazil.
00:53Consolação is a varmint and traditionally rustling neighborhood in central São Paulo.
00:57It is famous for its rich cultural life with easy access to subway stations and bus lines.
01:05The client's brief was to transform the existing 29 square meters into a multifunctional space, which would fit his lifestyle.
01:14The apartment was a blank canvas.
01:17Originally, there was a kitchenette by the entrance, a living room, a separate bedroom with an ensuite bathroom and a
01:24terrace.
01:24We demolished the walls that separated the bedroom and living room and moved the kitchen to the other side to
01:32create one unified living, kitchen, dining and sleeping space.
01:36The flexible use of the space was achieved by creating hybrid furniture, which not only provided multifunctionality, but also gave
01:46the apartment a more open feeling.
01:53At the entrance, there is a bench with a coat hanger above and a shoe rack below.
02:00Besides the bench is a utility cupboard with a built-in space for a small washing machine.
02:08Even though the building has a communal laundry room, it is quite small and always in use, so our client
02:15requested to have one within the apartment itself.
02:20On the opposite side, there is a closet with drawers, space for hangers and shelves at the top.
02:27This is the main storage space in the apartment for clothes and bedding.
02:35The kitchen is the floor as well.
02:37The kitchen is a small wall at the end of the hallway.
02:39The kitchen was an important space for the client who loves to cook.
02:44For this purpose, we created a 3 meter black granite countertop with a small splashback.
02:50We added the same green tiles that were used on the floor above.
02:55The countertop is equipped with a large sink, a cooktop, a stove and a microwave.
03:01Above the sink there is an integrated drying rack. The dining table is a folding
03:08table that can be freely moved around the apartment. The chairs also fold and
03:15can be stored within the table. With the intention of each space having its own
03:23personality we designed the floor of the apartment with different finishing
03:27materials. Hard wood for the intimate area, hydraulic cement tiles for the
03:33kitchen area and balcony. For the living area we worked in collaboration with
03:40product designer Laura Garcia to create a collection of uniquely crafted hybrid
03:45furniture. The first is a sofa which is integrated to the storage wall behind.
03:52It is finished in natural frejou wood and has custom red cushions. We designed
03:59matching coffee table with casters so they can be easily moved around. By adding a
04:06cushion they can also be used as a footrest for the sofa. The storage wall behind the
04:14sofa spans the entire length and height of this room. It contains an area on each
04:20side for plants and personal objects. In the evening the section behind the sofa
04:28falls down using a hydraulic system to reveal a large bed. The main custom piece we
04:38created for the living area is hidden within the mirror wall. It slides out to
04:43reveal a wood and light green laminate room divider. On one side there is a TV
04:51integrated right into the unit with a sound bar hidden below. All the electronics
04:58are neatly hidden away for a seamless look. On the other side there is a fold-out table
05:05that can be used as a kitchen surface when prepping meals. Or as another great option
05:11when working from home. When the desk or TV is not in use, the whole unit simply slides back
05:19into the mirror wall and disappears out of sight. We chose a flexible lighting system for
05:26the apartment to use depending on the client's activities. For the kitchen and
05:31dining area we chose lights that can be directed in different positions. The main
05:38source of natural light for the entire apartment is through the large glass door
05:43that open up to the terrace. It has amazing panoramic views of the city. On the
05:51terrace we added a vertical garden and the plant stand for herbs and spices. With
05:59all the doors open, the terrace is an extension of the apartment. There is a
06:07hidden entrance to the bathroom behind the mirror wall. We kept the bathroom
06:12layout the same as before but gave it new life using the yellow epoxy paint in the
06:18shower. Above the sink is a large mirror cabinet with some open shelves and some
06:26storage behind the doors. The sink is in the same granite material as the kitchen
06:32countertop. In Brazil it's common for new buildings to be built with only the walls,
06:42floor and some basic plumbing. This allows the new owner to customize it
06:48to their needs and taste. Designing a small space revolves around the belief
06:54that limitations are not constraints but weather opportunities for creativity and
06:59innovation.
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