The layout is designed to maximize the given space and accommodate all of the requirements. All the main living spaces are allotted along the windows and doors to the balcony. The only spaces that get no direct natural light are the common bathroom, the store and the kitchen. Nevertheless, since the kitchen is integrated with the naturally lit dining and living area, it is bound to get some indirect natural light during the day.

The living and dining form the main space of the apartment with 8 persons seating capacity in each. A cabinet between the dining and living rooms can be used to mount a rotating television screen which can be viewed from both directions. The furniture is arranged such that there is enough space to open the balcony doors inside.

Both the bathrooms are aligned together for ease of plumbing and ventilation. The common bathroom has no direct ventilation but it can use an overhead exhaust through the en-suite bathroom. The washing machine and kitchen sink are kept nearby to drain water easily through the hallway into the common bathroom drainage line. The bathrooms are kept 1.6 meters wide and all the sanitary fixtures are along the same wall so as to accommodate a separate ledge wall for plumbing if required. Both the bathrooms have space for a bath-tub or a shower or both combined together. The drawings show an alternative in each bathroom.

The kitchen counter accommodates all the appliances mentioned with an overhead storage above the counter. The master bedroom has two separate wardrobes and a king size double bed with night stands. The children’s bedroom accommodates a wardrobe, a double desk and a bunk bed. Alternatively, if the gas meter is removed and installed elsewhere, it can also accommodate a double bed comfortably.

The total surface floor area is now 93 square meters as opposed to approximately 86 square meters earlier. Unnecessary walls, dark nooks and underutilized spaces are rearranged into a bright and optimized apartment making it more spacious even with more furniture and storage.

It was a pleasure working on this contest. We wish you the best for the project.