Description

As per client's requirements, the project propose the subdivision of a larger apartment into two smaller and independent apartments: the first measuring 30 sqm and the second measuring 32 sqm.
Given the orientation of the building, apartment 1 has a good solar exposure to east, capturing the morning sunshine, while apartment 2 is exposed to west, enjoying the afternoon sunset. The customer's need to keep the services in the current location is good in case of apartment 2, as the services are facing the north, a facade on which the sun does not strike. It is, however, a disadvantage on apartment 1, as it prevents the opening of a beautiful window that would catch the light and heat of the sun at peak time, being oriented to the south. The client should evaluate the idea of creating a "service group" aligning the two bathrooms northwards, thus creating an optimum solution both for the plumbing and the solar exposure. In both apartments, in order to make the most out of the light coming from the windows, and to exploit the natural ventilation coming from these, kitchen and living room are grouped into one environment. In both apartments the division between the bedroom and the livingroom/kitchen, is designed to let the light pass thru it, and occasionally it could be moved to create an open space.

FROM SEPARATE ENVIRONMENTS TO OPEN SPACE
To reduce the cost of the project, and to create environments that adapt to the needs of the inhabitants, the proposed solution limits the construction of fixed walls to the minimum. In fact, in the two apartments the only walls are the ones that define the service spaces, ie the bathroom and the kitchen. This design proposal create two apartments composed of modular environments that adapt to the needs of tenants. The transition from separate rooms to open-space is possible thanks to a movable wall made of steel or wood frame and polycarbonate sheets. Thanks to the particular visual qualities of polycarbonate, this lightweight division allows light to cross the two environments even when divided, while at the same time providing privacy to the occupants.

THREE DESIGN ELEMENTS
The core of the proposal il made of 3 pieces of furniture. These furnitures can be manufactured in the workshops and quickly mounted on site, and are the same in both apartments, keeping down the costs of the project.
1. bed with integrated storage
Custom-made furniture made up of a wooden bed frame with integrated wardrobe and storage. This solution help to optimize the space in the bedroom, making the most of the area occupied by the bed.
2. movable wall
This lightweight partition divide the bedroom from the livingroom, and can be occasionally folded, to create a continuous environment. In apartment 1, the movable wall fold itself beside the kitchen, occupying the space of a module (60x60cm). In apartment 2 the mobile wall closes to cover the bed.
3. kitchen
The kitchen is composed by four 60x60cm modules, plus a pantry with with boiler housing. Appliances are recessed under the kitchen top, like the washing machine, or in a dedicated column, like the fridge- freezer.