Life in 65 sqm

Open Studio initiated the project by questioning the spatial quality of small scale apartment typology commonly seen today – subdivided heavily in order to brand the piece of property “x-Bedroom with x-Bath“. Such acquiescent parceling of a small area is to the detriment of the spatial quality, resulting in an air of enclosed uniformity. Bed Room, Kitchen, Living Room, Bath Room, Store Room become all but cubicles devoid of spatial hierarchy and sense of scale. 

For a couple who sought a lifestyle of joie de vivre, this project weighs desire, time and purpose as drivers of the layout. The apartment was totally demolished and then rebuilt around the couple's love for cooking, hosting & living. Ample daylight and space were crafted to support their other passions such as lounging, reading and leisurely tv watching.

For the love of natural materials, green wave marble, burmese teak parquet flooring and terrazzo were used in this flat. To unify the rich characters of these materials, Open Studio employed stainless steel for its abstract "non-materiality". 

Stainless steel was primarily considered for its functionality in being used as backsplash for the open kitchen designed for chinese cooking. But the material later grew in its role, to be used as a space magnifier, natural light reflector. Though perceived to be a "hard" material, softness was expressed in the exploration of how it was used. Utilising its malleable nature, Open Studio explored the expression of a fold that opens up for natural ventilation at the kitchen. 

At the kitchen, the studio also experimented with mixing the hairline and mirror finish which resulted in a very tactile experience of imperfection, a different experience from the typical use of cool uniform stainless steel that is detailed to be sleek and pristine. 

Paired with marble, the use of mirror stainless steel was also detailed to counter the visual weight of marble, reducing it into a visually lightweight partition. The perpendicular layout of consecutive mirrored stainless steel throughout the flat enhanced the effect of daylight in an already brightly lit space, drawing all natural light into the living zone.  

Sustainability was approached from the point of view of responsible sourcing of good materials, and considering a longevity to items that could reasonably be carried to a subsequent second home. For instance, the design of kitchen on legs rather than a built-in feature, was intended that they could be detached and relocated into a future home. 

By planning for the reuse of the favourite parts of their first home for the couple, such planning of the future possibilities expresses the exuberant enjoyment for life in which inspired Open Studio for the home design. The project began as one that rejects the parcelization of space and which aimed to offer a new spatial economy for small apartment owners. It developed into defining the new spatial economy to something that grew to express and define the specific homeowners and what they stood for.