The nature of the real estate market in Manhattan makes it a breeding ground for small space creativity. Here is another soaring example of an ingenious use of space. This Upper West Side 450 square feet studio was designed to fit all the essentials and even a few extras. The place includes: living room, kitchen (with plentiful counter space), bar area, home office, sofa bed, extra bed for guests, closet, even library. A large blue custom-made cabinet allows the transformation to happen. Watch the video for the interview with architect Michael Chen of Normal Projects and to see the ‘unfolding apartment’ in action.
Photos by Aya Brackett
DMY Berlin’11 festival is in full swing, giving the stage to many delightful designs. This coat hanger, called Mr. T, is a vivid example. Marcel Kieser and Christof Spath of German studio Kieser Spath, the proud authors of the piece, have this motto for it – ‘plain, simple, intelligent.’ And indeed – what can be simpler than two wooden T-shaped strips with a metal rod in between? And when not in use – the item can be disassembled and quite intelligently stored flat even in the tiniest of closets. Light, minimalistic, adaptable storage… Something every small space needs.
This minimalistic desk is a new addition to the Milk series designed by Søren Rose Studio. In spite of its small size, the Mini Milk desk retains all the attributes of the initial concept – it is sleek, Apple-like and equipped with clever storage solutions. Automatically assuming that you are an Apple addict, designers gave you a slot for your iPad and two compartments that can house your iPhone, iPod or any other item that requires a charger. A custom color for the tabletop is available.
The Libreria ABC by Eva Alessandrini and Italian manufacturer Saporiti – is a modular system, designed to hold books of all heights. Thanks to the specific shelving arrangements, the modules are also capable to resemble letters. The shelves can be arranged into a bookcase, a wall unit, a side or occasional table, free-standing cabinet etc. The configurations, word-like or not, are endless!..
This children’s lamp made me smile. Created by Chinese designer Zhao Liping, it comes in floor and pendant versions. The floor one has a pull shaped as a rain drop. How cute is that! The lamp only exists as a concept. It is made from white matte PVC, other materials are being considered. Cannot wait to see this piece produced…
This piece reminds me of the folded ribbon game, I played as a child. The Wow shelf by Latvian design student Arthur Analts was created to enhance your entryway and provide a convenient place for your keys, loose change and other small items. Made from a single aluminum sheet, folded in a crisscrossed pattern, the shelf is light and sturdy (it can hold up to 93lb). It is attached to walls by a special fleece tape. ‘The inspiration came from the unique metal’s bending possibility, creating the form from one piece of aluminium with almost no material loss,’ – explains the designer. ‘My goal was to be sure the whole object will look aesthetically pleasing and be lightweight, even without accessories in it.’ The Wow shelf can be powdercoated in various colors.
Here is another eye candy for the avid readers and sitters – the Bookshelf chair by Beijing-based designer Wenshuai Liu. This minimalistic piece includes a bookshelf right below its seat, which resembles the good old school chair only far more elegant. It is nice to see that in the era of electronic readers, books are still going strong and giving inspiration to designers. Maybe even more than they did before…
Half lamp, half bookshelf, all brilliant… Called Readme, the piece belongs to German designer Peter Böckel. The shape of this unusual object resembles a lampshade with some characteristics of a small chest. The elegant hybrid includes two storage levels, one inside the ‘shade’ and another one – on top. The business part of Readme is made of steel and supported by four maple legs; the light is coming through the translucent top surface. The piece will be presented at DMY Berlin this week.
Since elementary school we know that gravity is a natural force that makes objects fall on people’s heads. US-based designer Alejandro Gomez Stubbs of Malagana studio employed gravity for doing exactly the opposite. The Equilibrium bookcase he designed is a combination of tilted shelving components that keeps things in place without the use of bookends. The modules are connected via hidden steel joints and look as if they are floating in the air. This weightless feeling is a disguise for a sturdy construction, that can withstand over 160lb. The piece can be assembled in minutes without the need of any tools or hardware, and, when disassembled, all pieces fit into each other for easy storage. The Equilibrium bookcase was shown at the American Design Club’s Use Me exhibition during the New York Design Week.
The 3:1 table is a cool creation by Chicago based studio TJOKEEFE. Their signature is in playing with geometry and distilling an object down to its essential parts. Powerful form and efficiency is what TJ O’Keefe, the founder of the studio, strives to achieve. This table, for example, is a clever geometric set of nesting tables, each of which can function independently. Even if scattered around the room, the pieces ‘interact’ with each other, creating a visual tension. The 3:1 table is made of matte powder-coated aluminum.
