Think you could use some more living space? Try living in an 86-square-foot apartment.
That was the challenge the French architectural firm Kitoko Studio accepted when it renovated a tiny Parisian apartment that was originally designed for a maid and re-purposed it as a residence for an au pair.
“Despite the small area, the space had to be functional in order (for the resident) to sleep and also to cook, eat, wash, work and store a maximum number of items,” the firm said in a statement. “The space should guarantee the independence of the future occupant.”
Inspired by the “concept of the Swiss Army Knife,” Kitoko architects made the most of the living space — building a staircase leading to a loft bed, shelves, a closet, a table and two chairs, a boiler and a tiled bathroom with a toilet, shower and sink into a single wall of cabinets and sliding doors.
“Once all the elements are folded and stored in this ‘large closet,’ it frees half of the surface of the room,” Kitoko said.
And that’s not all: Beneath the apartment’s main window, architects managed to sneak in a second sink, a small refrigerator, a microwave, a portable stove top and other kitchen essentials.
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