In a 1950s building in central Milan lay a 28sqm micro-flat in dire need of a helping hand. While space was, of course, a significant limitation, the goal was to turn this dreary property into one of space and flow. Given that it still had to be functional and liveable, it was no easy task.
Milanese Studio Wok architects Marcello Bondavalli, Nicola Brenna, and Carlo Alberto Tagliabue got to work transforming the apartment to the tune of $40,000. They used batipin plywood as their primary design element then brought it to life with loose IKEA furniture and clever use of layouts.
The goal of the space was also to ensure the living area was the hive of activity – and the kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom a mere afterthought. The living area is clean, tidy, and overlooks the terrace, while all furniture and amenities are “hidden” behind the batipin walls.
The walls even house a folding double bed and a murphy bed – sleeping up to four people at any given time. Then, at a moment’s notice, you can change the entire appearance of the living and sleeping areas.
Once the bed drops down from the wall, the living area looks like a bedroom.
A second full-size bed pulls out from under the storage wall, meaning four people can sleep comfortably in this 28sqm apartment.
You find plenty of storage over the pull-out bed.
The pull-out bed turns into a sofa during the day, transforming it from a bedroom into a living room once more.
The white resin flooring in the living area helps to brighten the space and encourage it to flow freely out to the artificial grass on the balcony floor.
Blue is the color of choice for the kitchen and bathroom, making use of IKEA module furnishings.