Small Space Living

We have a thing for small spaces. Having featured small space solutions for houses (remember the 344 sqft & 480 sqft ones?) which can barely boast of any area to play around with, we are back again with a new gem from Portugal which puts its 474 sqft area to maximum use. Designed by Consexto architects, this home(titled The Closet House) was chosen as one of the winners of Arch Daily's Building of the Year award in 2010. (We just love this bedroom!) Here is a quick video walk through of the home: (Email readers, please visit here to watch the video: https://www.home-designing.com/2011/02/small-space-living) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGiNEzjXhsU Architect's note:

The Closet house rises from the need to transform 44m2 in a house thoroughly useful and livable. Has five spaces, two of them completely flexible and transformable by result of a displacement of a cabinet/wall, in wood with natural finish, that grants spaces from the living and room areas different sizes and uses. Likewise, all the associated automation technology makes possible that joint space, framed in various activities and daily routines. On one hand, the cabinet/wall serves as bedroom wardrobe, on the other side rises an extendable dining table, a mini bar and an integrated home cinema. However, there is a passage whenever the living area become greatest, be able to access to a higher niche where the bed is. This option allowed a whole perimeter area gain for storage and placement of a built-in LCD. The profitability of space coupled with technology was the dominant concern throughout the project; the kitchen and toilet equipped with cabinets that blend and automatically glide into the wall, mirrors with monitored exhaustion, ideal for small wetlands and no natural ventilation. All electronic devices, as well as natural and artificial lighting, are fully controlled by a home automation system applied. Energy efficiency guarantee was one of the main concerns.

The house uses a variety of tricks to pack in more with less. Take this entertainment space for example. Visually the space looks quite light weight with all units built into the wall. Don't be fooled by that though! Slide out a drawer and you have a mini bar. Dim the lights, slide a panel and you have a mini theatre! The shortage of space did not prevent the designers from taking some chances in the bathroom either.