While living in small spaces is still quite a novelty for most people in North America, it is quite an accepted practice in most of the rest of the world. Especially in China, where livable space is hard to come by in most urban areas. This tiny, L-shaped home recently completed in Beijing is a great example of tiny home architecture done right.
The home was designed by the local firm B.L.U.E. Architecture, and they managed to squeeze it between an existing two story building and a wall. It measures just 462 sq ft (43 sq m) but with clever design elements, such as convertible furnishings and shifting walls, that’s enough to accommodate a family of six.
They made the space appear larger by ensuring plenty of light gets in. The entry to the home is fully glazed, while they also installed a skylight which transverses one of the curving walls of the home. Despite the modest floorspace, they also managed to create a private space for each of the family members.
The private spaces can also become communal ones, by simply rearranging the movable walls that can be easily pushed around as needed. The beds can be turned into sofas, while the dining table can be folded up or extended as needed. In fact, most of the furniture can be adapted to various needs as they arise, such as sleeping, lounging, eating, working, spending time with the family, or retreating to a private space. The home also features plenty of built-in storage space inside the walls, stairs and even under the beds. The children have their own space upstairs, where they can play, and they added netting and soft carpeting here to make it safer and more appealing.
One of the advantages in living in a small space is that it brings a family closer together, and this was certainly achieved by the design of this home without sacrificing privacy in the process.
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