AnHome, a tiny compact & flexible apartment.
Today in modern life, the issue of cramped apartments is becoming increasingly common, especially in densely populated urban areas. However, limited space doesn't mean we can't have a comfortable and functional apartment.
AnHome is a renovation project of a very small apartment, located on the 18rd floor with a view of the city, in Thu Duc city, Vietnam. The apartment's area is only 49 square meters, consisting of one bedroom, a kitchen-dining area, a living room, and one shared bathroom.
Functional Issues:
After reaching the project and make an apartment survey, the design team noticed several functional issues, including: ventilation, lighting, and views. The existing layout of the apartment was also quite complicated. The bar counter was an unnecessary feature that took up valuable space. The kitchen was also cramped and difficult to use.
The common area, including the living room, kitchen, and dining area, was separated from the bedroom by a solid wall, giving it a cramped and heavy feeling. The wooden doors and this dividing wall obstructed natural light from the balcony, resulting in insufficient lighting and blocking natural ventilation from reaching the kitchen and bathroom spaces.
Requirements of the owner and Design Solutions:
The apartment is very small but has to accommodate the living needs of 3 members and a baby on the way. Therefore, the owner desired a multifunctional space that could serve daily living, activities, and work from home needs while still allowing separate spaces when required.
The design team proposed simple and effective renovation solutions, in order to make the most of the limited space while remaining cost-effective.
Natural light and ventilation:
To solve the issues of lack of natural light and ventilation, the top portion of the separating wall between spaces was removed and replaced with a rotating glass doors system. The lower part of the wall, measuring 1.1 meters high, provide privacy for the bedroom and also integrate a TV cabinet.
The feature of the apartment is the rotating windows system, allowing for the direction and adjustment of natural airflow to inside. During hot seasons when air conditioning is needed, these windows and doors can be fully closed to prevent heat loss while still ensuring privacy for the bedroom.
The material of bedroom and bathroom doors was also replaced with the vertically glass, increasing natural light.
Optimize and multi functional space:
Regarding functionality, the entire interior space was designed to maximize flexibility in usage.
The only bedroom in the apartment is designed to be flexible and fully utilizes all the space when needed as a home office and study space. Above the main bed, a bunk bed with a steel structure was designed for the boy, with a wall-mounted ladder painted red, resembling a fireman's ladder, making him feel comfortable in his small space right from the beginning of exploration. This small ladder also serves as a hanging shelf for the boy's decorations.
The main bed, wardrobe and work desk were designed in a compact and interconnected manner to maximize space utilization in the bedroom.
Open layout:
The living room, kitchen and dining area were arranged in an open layout, providing a well-ventilated and natural lighting.
The kitchen was extended compared to the original layout, with a well-organized and integrated design for kitchen accessories and cabinets.
Smart color and material choices:
The bathroom was renovated by replacing the large wall tiles with white subway tiles. The plumbing fixtures were also chosen in white tones to create a sense of spaciousness and brightness for this small space.
Smart energy saving devices:
The entire apartment is designed with smart LED lighting systems that illuminate energy-saving areas and can adjust light intensity and color temperature according to different scenarios throughout the day, providing various emotional spaces for the residents. Ceiling fans are also strategically placed to enhance airflow and cool the indoor environment.
Indoor plants, bringing nature in:
With their air filtering, humidity control, and temperature regulation, indoor plants create a more pleasant living environment inside an apartment.
Visual condition and views:
The goal is to have open sightlines so family members can see each other from different parts of the apartment. This allows for easy interaction. An open floor plan without many walls or barriers enables family members to maintain visual contact. This encourages togetherness. Large open spaces and minimal partitions give family members clear views of each other. This fosters a sense of closeness. By designing an open apartment layout with few obstructions, the team hopes to facilitate communication and strengthen family connections.
Conclusion:
Architect Daniel Tran (chief architect at Space+ Architecture) shares:
"An Home is a small apartment with multiple members living together, a typical of apartment in major urban areas in Vietnam, with a very limited renovation budget (but suitable for the majority of average-income citizens). As a result, all design and construction solutions were carefully and meticulously calculated to ensure they fit within the initial investment set forth.
Sustainable architectural solutions were also applied, such as natural cross-ventilation throughout the rooms and natural lighting, to keep the apartment well-ventilated and avoid the need for air conditioning or artificial lighting during the day, contributing to energy and operating cost savings. The materials used in the apartment are eco-friendly, including composite wood flooring, steel-glass doors, and composite wood kitchen cabinets, which are not only reasonably priced but also highly effective in terms of functionality. Some old devices and furnitures from the apartment before the renovation were also reused to save costs.
AnHome, with its minimalist, multi-functional space, creates a comfortable living space, promoting flexibility, and providing a cozy atmosphere for each family member whenever they return home.”