Small Living - Beautiful Butterfly

These structures are some of the most beautiful examples of small living and ecological and humanitarian design I've seen.  Featured in the book, "Design like you give a Damn" they house orphans in Thailand. 

Designed by TYIN Tegnestue

They are beautifully designed with local materials and building techniques.  They use prefabrication and I could see them easily mass producing these.  Could these be a design usable for emergency shelter for natural disasters?

Small Kitchen Idea - Nesting Bowls

I think these are a great idea for a small kitchen:

You have several large bowls, a collander, measuring cups and spoons all withing the space of the largest bowl.

Depending on you design aesthetic you may love the colorful combination or wish for something with a little less pop.  Either way these could be a colorful solution to minimal storage space. 

Microwave Oven Combo

Using a wall oven with microwave can create a more ergonomic cooking experience.  I like them because they free up the space below the range for storage of cooking ware and accessories and I like the height that the built in gives you. 
In a single wall kitchen I would have this full height casework on one side of a counter and a built in refrigerator at the other side to balance out the design.

Contemporary Kitchen design by Calgary Design-build Fifth Element Homes

I think this combo unit that includes a small refrigerator and a coffee maker is a create space saver for a small kitchen that still wants all of the gadgets built in:

Asian Kitchen design by Toronto Interior Designer XTC Design Incorporated

Ultra Small Appliances

I Love These!!!
Appliances in miniture. 
This is a KitchenAid product but as far as I can tell it is not available in the United States. 
Wouldn't this be a great addition to a minimalist kitchen or an efficiency appartment?

Found here:
http://www.houzz.com/oven-microwave/p/8

Single Wall Kitchen

I've been sketching up kitchen options for small apartments (I'll post sketches soon)
The most efficient layout is a single wall kitchen.  Most research notes that an I shaped kitchen, sometimes called a pullman kitchen, eliminates the traditional work triangle.   True - but if you add an island, either movable furniture or built in casework you can create a type of work triangle that keeps everything within arms reach. 

I really like the idea of having a movable piece because it would allow you to modify the space and add a dine in table or a bar height element that would allow casual dining in the kitchen. 

I would much rather upgrade the finishes and appliance then have a larger kitchen and I think that the island creates a nice visual and plenty of work space.

 

Here are some of the better resources I've found for single wall kitchens:

http://www.houzz.com/i-kitchen
http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/4128/list
http://www.diynetwork.com/kitchen/8-ways-to-make-a-small-kitchen-sizzle/pictures/index.html
http://www.channel4.com/4homes/rooms/kitchen/planning-ideas/along-one-wall-kitchens-gallery-08-06-04/display/image/36-SE4004-l
http://glo.msn.com/living/tiny-kitchens-with-big-results-7416.gallery
http://www.kitchens.com/design/layout/common-kitchen-layouts/one-wall-kitchen/

What's Important to You?

Today at work we were discussing what people are looking for in a home.  I think as designers we often start from a bias of what WE are looking for in a home or what we THINK people in general are looking for or, worst of all, what stockholders in the development company are looking for in a home.  But that isn't necessarily what most people want or what would fit the target clientele's lifestyle. 

For example:  half of the households in Manhattan are single person households.  But the housing market offers predominantly one and two bedroom units.  If they really listened to their market there would be a dramatic shift toward smaller units, either studio or efficiency units so that people can afford to live in the city, so that their environment fits their lifestyle. 

Here is my ideal apartment:

• Urban (Ideally with good public transportation options so a car is unnecessary)
• One bedroom or preferably a studio that could be subdivided with partitions or furniture
• Open floor plan and high ceilings with some outdoor living area or large operable openings
• Small kitchen along single wall with high quality finishes and appliances and microwave
• Space for freestanding island / eat-at-bar furniture
• Bath with full height tile and open shower or glass partition, single minimalist sink
• Washer is important but I would prefer space to line dry within my apartment over a dryer
• Walk in closet but I am willing to give up square footage in the bedroom since I don't need a dresser
• Energy and water efficient heating, cooling, fixtures and appliances with smart control
• Larger gym chain or yoga studio in building opposed to standard apartment gym
• Coffee house in building
• Bar in building or nightlife within walking distance
• Grocery in walking distance (also prefer a library within walking distance)

So.....
What fits your lifestyle?

• Are you in an urban, suburban, or rural situation?
• Do you prefer a house, townhouse, or apartment?
• How many people are in your household?
• How many cars are in your household?
• How many bedrooms do you prefer? 
• How many bathrooms do you prefer?
• How important is outdoor living area? 
• How many evenings do you spend at home vs. out?
• How often do you cook?
• Would you prefer more kitchen space or higher quality appliances?
• How important is having a dishwasher?
• How important is having a built in microwave?
• Do you prefer an eat-at-bar counter or a separate dining area?
• Do you entertain often?
• How large of a TV or entertainment wall do you require?
• Do you prefer a master bedroom with bath or a bath that is accessible from outside the bedroom?
• Do you prefer a bathtub or a shower?
• Does it make more sense to have the sink in the bathroom or outside of the bathroom?
• Would two sinks be beneficial?
• Do you prefer more space or higher quality materials?
• How high a priority is having a washer and dryer in your apartment?
• Is a coat closet near the door important or would you prefer more open space?
• How high a premium is a walk in closet?  Would you pay more for a walk in?  Would you sacrifice square footage in the bedroom?
• How high a priority is having a parking available?
• Is a pool or barbeque facilities important?
• Would you pay additional fee for a dedicated parking spot?
• Would you pay more for granite countertops?
• Would you pay more for higher ceilings?
• Would you pay $100 more in rent if your utility bill was cut in half?
• Would you pay more for energy or water efficient measures?
• Would you pay more for upgraded (stainless steel) appliances?
• Would you pay more for smart unit control (iPad heating, cooling, lighting control?)
• Would you pay more for higher security?
• Do you prefer a doorman or a security system?
• If you could have a typical apartment complex gym included or a national chain gym that required membership but offered more amenities within the building which would you prefer?
• What retail or service options would be highly desirable on the ground floor of  your building?
• What retail or services are you looking for in walking distance from your home?

What is your priority?  What are you looking for?

Small Living and PreFab

I love the idea of small living:  less to purchase, less to pay taxes on, less to heat, less to cool, less to clean.  There are so many amazing ideas out there but one of the ones that compliments small living best is PreFab. 

If that word brings images of track housing or mobile homes consider some of the work by Hangar Design Group that designed a beautiful portable structure that looks very 'high design."




Creating a house, or any building, on a site requires everyone to travel to the job site, bring their materials to the job site, and to somehow remove the waste materials.  Construction is one of the most wasteful industries.  But creating a building in a controlled environment allows the economies of scale, streamline processes and assembly line and manufacturing quality control. 

All of that and a beautiful design!

Read more about this house at http://www.arnewde.com/architecture-design/prefabs-house-design-by-hangar-design-group/

Small Kitchen Ideas

Eclectic Kitchen design by Dc Metro Interior Designer Lauren Liess Interiors

I want to explore living with less but living better with less.  My ideal kitchen would have no upper cabinets and use open shelving.  My mother has warned me about dust collecting but if you only have items that you use you wash them often and eliminate the issue.  I love the white dishes in this image!

Another Item that can save space and keep things at arms reach is a magnetic knife strip.  Save the space on the counter and I happen to like the look.  Just remember to keep out of reach of little hands.

Traditional Kitchen design by Sydney Media And Blogs A Beach Cottage