Instead of following the typical studio apartment floor plan and outfitting Pila's place with a galley kitchen, closet-sized bathroom, and a bedroom the size of a prison cell, PKMN developed a solution that allowed her to have several spacious rooms—just not all at once. PKMN Architecture
Instead of following the typical studio apartment floor plan and outfitting Pila's place with a galley kitchen, closet-sized bathroom, and a bedroom the size of a prison cell, PKMN developed a solution that allowed her to have several spacious rooms—just not all at once.
A series of rolling storage units double as walls.
A series of rolling storage units double as walls.
Industrial tracks, typically used to support rolling bookshelves at libraries are given new life in this atypical application. PKMN Architecture
Industrial tracks, typically used to support rolling bookshelves at libraries are given new life in this atypical application.
The itinerant nature of the walls means each of these spaces can be larger, about 160 square feet, than if they were permanently defined. PKMN Architecture
The itinerant nature of the walls means each of these spaces can be larger, about 160 square feet, than if they were permanently defined.
Special features, like a hidden Murphy Bed, are built into the boxes. PKMN Architecture
Special features, like a hidden Murphy Bed, are built into the boxes.
Or a fold out prep table for the kitchen module.
Or a fold out prep table for the kitchen module.
Each unit offers approximately 150 cubic feet of storage space for Pila to store her possessions. PKMN Architecture
Each unit offers approximately 150 cubic feet of storage space for Pila to store her possessions.
Each unit weighs nearly a ton when fully loaded, but they can be moved with a modicum of effort. PKMN Architecture
Each unit weighs nearly a ton when fully loaded, but they can be moved with a modicum of effort.
"The project is about how to allow the coexistence of both configurations, private life and work place, without renouncing spacious pieces for each use," says PKMN Architecture co-founder and designer Carmelo Rodríguez. PKMN Architecture
"The project is about how to allow the coexistence of both configurations, private life and work place, without renouncing spacious pieces for each use," says PKMN Architecture co-founder and designer Carmelo Rodríguez.
Privacy screens can maneuvered to act as a shield against prying eyes. PKMN Architecture
Privacy screens can maneuvered to act as a shield against prying eyes.
Pila's home doubles as an office and the space can be used to host clients. PKMN Architecture
Pila's home doubles as an office and the space can be used to host clients.
Half of the house is open space that allows Pila to have some more permanent possessions. PKMN Architecture
Half of the house is open space that allows Pila to have some more permanent possessions.
"We like very much the use of this kind of tiling because of the result of combining abstract patterns that become figurative in its mosaic repetition, introducing a natural/landscaped ambience into the house." PKMN Architecture
"We like very much the use of this kind of tiling because of the result of combining abstract patterns that become figurative in its mosaic repetition, introducing a natural/landscaped ambience into the house."
PKMN Architecture
The bathroom is small, but turns into a luxurious dressing area in the right configuration. PKMN Architecture
The bathroom is small, but turns into a luxurious dressing area in the right configuration.
The exterior of her house is traditional, but the internals are thoroughly modern.
The exterior of her house is traditional, but the internals are thoroughly modern.
Microapartments make living in a big city semi-affordable, but tiny, featureless boxes can hardly be called homes. When Madrid-based graphic designer Yolanda Pila decided to renovate her cramped chambers, she turned to PKMN Architecture (pronounced Pac-Man) to transform the tiny footprint into a homey abode.
Instead of following the typical studio apartment floor plan and outfitting Pila’s place with a galley kitchen, closet-sized bathroom, and a bedroom the size of a prison cell, PKMN developed a solution that allowed her to have several spacious rooms—just not all at once. They outfitted her ceiling with industrial tracks, often used to support the rolling bookshelves at libraries, and fabricated a series of storage units that double as walls. The bespoke boxes weigh nearly a ton each when fully loaded, but can be moved relatively easily.
Pila can create “rooms” by rolling these storage units into a variety of configurations and turn her space into a dressing room, sitting area, boudoir, or kitchen depending on the need. Sliding panels give her the ability to create a sense of privacy or to hide a sink full of dishes. The itinerant nature of the walls means each of these spaces can be larger, about 160 square feet, than if they were permanently defined.
“The project is about how to allow the coexistence of both configurations, private life and work place, without renouncing spacious pieces for each use,” says PKMN Architecture co-founder and designer Carmelo Rodríguez.
Each plywood unit is packed with purpose-built furniture like a Murphy Bed, blackboard, and prep table, as well as 150 cubic feet of storage space for Pila to store her possessions. This solution makes economical use of the space in her home and unlike many ultramodern overhauls, most of the materials used to construct these cabinets are available at Home Depot.
Industrial plywood is typically used as a sturdy sub-flooring, but in the hands of PKMN’s architects it’s unique texture becomes a design feature. “We are also very fond of its appearance, the textures it introduces into the house when used on furniture and flooring,” says Rodríguez. “In contrast to white finishing on walls.”
In addition to the quirky rearrangeable space, Pila’s home also features a large room that allows her to have more permanent furniture. The result is a live/work space that packs a wide variety of functionality into a fairly small footprint.
“The story is also about dealing with storage of personal belongings and how their organization and display is related to domestic experience,” says Rodríguez.
No comments:
Post a Comment