The project began with the client’s desire to rethink how to live comfortably in a compact studio flat, working within a tight budget. We designed a flexible space that could support everyday life – sleeping, working, eating, relaxing, and hosting – without feeling cramped.
To make the most of the budget, we focused the design strategy on a single set of custom joinery elements, creating a bold new main feature for the flat while leaving the existing kitchen and bathroom untouched. The joinery was built from a colour-impregnated timber board chosen for its strength, durability, and playful character. Integrated storage keeps the space clutter-free, while the use of colour defines the 9sqm intervention and creates multiple “rooms within a room.”
The project received the NLA Home Reimagined Award for Best Compact Design and was an Architizer A+ Awards Finalist, and has been featured in publications including The New York Times, Dezeen, Dwell, and Wallpaper.
