apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Nonono, I could not live like this. I can feel my airways constricting just looking at this picture.

I wish there were shots of the "kitchen".

Man, this guy's a genious!!! But I have to agree with shockthebourgeois cos I couldnt live in a place like that either!

I like small spaces, but this space is too small & too claustrophobic for my tastes.

Debbie
http://girlwhimsy.blogspot.com

I'm dittoing everyone above. I'm not claustrophobic, and I like small spaces, and this might even be a really great set up for a boat cabin (since you could go topside to stretch and get some air), but the thought of living here makes my chest sqeeze.

Most of us wouldn't choose to live in such a small space, but Santos is out of work in Florida and is renting a $150 room. He is making the most of what he's got with low costs & tetris-like efficiency--good for him.

Reminds me of college life - a dorm room MINUS the gross roommate.

Just reminds me of a dorm room ... half of a dorm room.

Brilliant!
Where's the bathroom?

How is this guy out of work? It seems like he could set up a website, have people send them a picture of their junk rooms, and design them an awesome office / guest room.

Although he's not living in a small space by choice (with him being out of work), I still find this space adorable.

First, I hope I'm never in a situation where I would have to make the choices he did (because I don't have his unique skill set and would never have come up with something this clever) - but given that, I think he's done an incredible job of making the best of things. This is the epitome of the expression: "When life gives you lemons make lemonade" - wow, truly impressive.

I wonder how he makes the bed?

That looks miserable. Reminds me of the Flight of the Conchords episode where Jermaine moves into a "cleaning cupboard" that he claims is a studio apartment.

Exactly where is the bathroom. Does he deuce out that small window or something? Where does he bathe? In the sink?

Really? As an architect, shouldn't he have some taste? This is cheaper and messier than most college dorm rooms.

It's not a home without a bathroom....LOL....and I would really like to see this kitchen they ramble about but never show.

Keep the claim of out-of-work architect and live in a closet, or go get a job at WalMart or Target and afford something a bit bigger?

I vote get a job.

I think it's marvellous.

I read in the San Francisco Chronicle yesterday that it's actually a closet in someone's room. He gets access to the bathroom.

Where is the bathroom?...............................................:|

I have a feeling that the "mini-kitchen" is probably just a hot plate and mini fridge. If he is renting a room out of a house, there's likely a communal kitchen and bathroom. Has no one lived in a house before?

Whatever floats his boat. I'm sure he'll be an inspiration to someone but it seems kinda unnecessary and extreme to live that way.

http://www.gettogethablog.com

I could not live like this - there's no room for guests, and I second the feelings of claustrophobia. And if he's renting a small space in a house, why on earth does he need a mini kitchen? That said, if it works for him, great. It beats getting into debt after losing his job, that's for sure. Personally, if I had to cut my living expenses that much, I would just move back home for a year.

Tetrified, indeed! Kudos, Sergio. Smart owner(s) as well. Win-win over some extra closet space in a harsh economic climate. We do what we have to do at times, and some do it better than others.

I recall a post-college buddy in '97 renting a closet from a mutual friend. His rent cost a case of low-grade hops, and the renter's caveat was all the hanging coats and junk had to stay. What with how many people and items got lost in there, let's just say, it was more like Donkey Kong than Tetris.

dmh...not everyone has that luxury of a home to move back to.

I wince at the folks who get down on his job situation. I know from taking my 16 year old out job hunting that Target and Walmart are not hiring in our area and, I imagine, many others as well. Just because the lower end gigs exist, doesn't mean they're hiring. And if he's an educated architect, they'll consider him over-qualified. It's a sad and difficult situation to be in, a real catch 22. Not as easily remedied as it's made to sound.

That said, I praise him for his creativity and ability to adapt. Good for him. And, as a former New Yorker, I have had the experience where you can deal with a smaller home because so much of your life is outside the house anyway. I actually had an "apartment" that was about this size when I was 19. There was a common bathroom down the hall and all my cooking was done by hotplate or else I ate outside of the house. I paid $320 a month for these privileges 20 years ago, so $150 sounds like a pretty good deal to me!

Cut the guy some slack. I think he's doing pretty dang good for his circumstances.

this is indeed smaller than I'd want and I lived in an efficiency that was anything but cheery due to the near dog poop brown/beige walls, ugly tan flooring and ugly brown carpeting.

It was essentially single room converted to an apartment w/ the bath down the hall when the place, built in 1913 went from a hotel to apartments in the early 30's. It'd have been much nicer had it not been painted in such dreary colors and had seen better days many years ago.

If I had the funds to do it, I'd have done some stuff to impart a cheerful state to the room, but I was too poor and too busy w/ schooling to be able to do so and loved what he did here, and I would agree, wished they had shot the kitchen they talk about but never show. A very creative way to get a place to live.

I can see what may have happened out of work, not able to get enough work to sustain him in these trying times and thus have to live on perhaps a 1/3 of his former income would drive him to rent this closet in a house for cheap.

this guy and his 77 sq. ft. studio/dorm room has been getting a lot of press in the last month. I overheard people talking about this at a brewery last weekend. has all this exposure helped him get a job, or profit from his exposure in any way? does anyone know?

"there's no room for guests"

There's plenty of room for guests...
...at the hotel up the street.

Honestly, good for him! Instead of wallowing in a depressive state, he took the situation that was handed to him and made the very best of it. Is it ideal? Hell no. But I appreciate someone who has the tenacity and positive outlook to improve their situation.

Is this even legal??

Wouldn't it just be easier to live in a regular apt. with a room mate or 2?

A number of the "let him eat cake" comments on this post amaze me, i.e., why doesn't he just get a job at Walmart; why doesn't he just start an online business; why doesn't he just move back home; blahblahblah. Apparently some AT readers are young, affluent, sheltered and naive, and assume they will remain so for the remainder of their lives. Not to be spiteful, but I kinda hope the recession bites them in the ass soon.

FYI, O Ye of Little Life Experience: Walmart et. al. are deluged with applications and not hiring. And that easy-as-pie online business? Well, gee, I don't suppose 10,000 unemployed and underemployed architects have thought of that one already; problem is, there are too many architects and too little demand. Finally... wait for it... when you reach a certain age (and often earlier), parents die, and there is no "home" to return to.

Welcome to the recession, brats.

There are shares bathroom facilities down the hall for other renters to use.

I agree with rosenatti: people, have you read the article in the paper or just looked at the pictures? How can you be so insensitive? No room for guests? This person is trying to make ends meet, I don!t think guests are an issue here. Geez...

gettogetha: how can you judge what is or is not necessary in a person's life?

I love seeing how people apply their talents and expertise in all aspects of their lives. I'm inspired by his use of every inch to re-examine my own use of space.

Yeah, he coulda done a better job. If he were living in Manhattan or San Francisco it might make more sense too.

Couldn't do it. Good on him tho.

Apparently some AT readers are young, affluent, sheltered and naive, and assume they will remain so for the remainder of their lives. Not to be spiteful, but I kinda hope the recession bites them in the ass soon.

Thanks for saying exactly what I was thinking, rosenatti.

Reminds me of a dorm room, I've seen some amazing loft setups done on the cheap, but this isn't necessarily the most amazing. The layout works well, and kudos to him for doing something creative to live within his means.

The architects I know are always at their desks anyway working or thinking, so while I couldn't live there, if his downtime is less than we think I guess he's ok.

Very talented. And clever. You can bet new opportunities have opened for him after this article. There's an old saying, "follow your bliss and success will come on its own."

I love spaces like that. Whenever I see someone's walk-in closet, I size it up as a possible living space. I lived in someone's under-stairs cupboard (just like Harry Potter!) once, and I lived for a year in a room that was 6 feet by 8 feet. No kitchen, but it was a bedroom and office. You just have to learn how to re- and multi- purpose items.

This is awesome! Santos you rock - seriously! So many of us are just complaining about the crisis, the economy - you really work with what you have and you are good at it! This is genius! I think it does lack a bit of a decorating flair though. If you'd like, I'd love to make a 3D rendering and add some color and accessories here and there. If you want to send me the floor plan and elevations, I'd love to do it, completely free of charge - just as a fun project :) - If you are interested, feel free to send me an email evm@homerefiner.com.

Elfya

@rosenatti: I could not agree with you more. Some of these comments are simply horrible. I know that this is supposed to be a site where people talk about design and style. But, some of these people need to think more carefully before just spewing out such elitist trash.

I would hope that I would never need to do this. Just as I would that no one would need to do so. Some may by choice as driftingfocus has done.

I do realize that jobs are hard to find but it doesn't mean impossible. And this is a little insane - he doesn't have any friends/relatives/ex-coworkers who at least let him crash on the couch until he could get a place with a few roommates. This is a very radical choice - and I'm with someone above, I would doubt this build is legal.

Reminds me of some of the Japanese businessman's hotels I've stayed at in Japan but they had miniature bathrooms included in rooms smaller than this. I'm thinking maybe he can sublet the office out for $250 per month when he gets a job at an architectural firm. :)
Katy
http://fengshuibyfishgirl.com

>I do realize that jobs are hard to find but it
>doesn't mean impossible.

In his field? It's deader than dead. He'll be lucky to pick up much work for years to come.

>And this is a little insane - he doesn't have any
>friends/relatives/ex-coworkers who at least let
>him crash on the couch until he could get a place
>with a few roommates.

Maybe he'd rather be on his own than be a burden to others.

some of the comments up there are incredibly harsh, and nasty. they almost make me wish for some people to learn how life is not always going the way you think it has to.

big kudos to theis room and the man who designed it (and lives it). my best wishes to Sergio Santos - may he find work again.

Okay, I know he's an architect, but I am seriously impressed with what he's done in such a small space.

sunspot42 -- Again, this is doubtfully very legal and if it is, I'd bet barely on the borderline. You said he wouldn't want to be a burden on others - but yet he's in someone else's home destroying a room? LOL.

Bravo, Sergio! I'd hire you, if I wasn't broke too.

after reading this, and knowing the area of downtown delray, i don't think this room is in a private house. i think it is in a mixed use building, containing apartments/SRO's and offices, so it "may" be legal.

like so many americans, he is probably mired in debt from school loans and/or credit cards and CHOSE to live like this. if you read the article, it says before he was unemployed, his last living space was not an apartment, but a (presumably larger) room in a nearby city.

and, btw, thanks rosenatti, my sentiments exactly.

good job sergio. tiny, efficient carbon footprint!

I agree with some of the others. He did not choose to be out of job and live in such a small space. It's easy to say that he can work in Target/ Walmart, but there're tons of people out there are out of job and are looking to work in those places. And I believe Target/ Walmart HR may not hire him cuz he's overqualified. Or they even couldn't see his application even if he did apply for it! The economy is just so bad now...

I appreciate his idea and creativity to make the most use of what he has. Sometimes it is better to live in your 'own' space even it is small. For some people, sharing a little bigger space with roommates may not be as good. Besides, if this closet is called a 'bedroom', I'd say you won't feel he's so poor. And you know I came from Asia and a 77 sq ft. bedroom is considered pretty big! I used to live in a 40 sq. ft bedroom! Of course we didn't even have 'closet' in where I lived. And I actually think that it's challenging to live in a small space. But once you personalised the space, you will feel so satisfied and proud of yourself!

Btw, I still live in a small house here in the US now. But comparing to the Asia housing, it's really big. And this is why I love this website. I'd really love to see people sharing how they decorate their small living space to make it livable / comfortable. Even it may not be my taste, I enjoy seeing all these ideas!

I couldn't do it, psychologically or physically. (I get horrible cramps in my legs just LOOKING at the steps to his loft bed.) I also need to be able to go home from work (after 9 pm) and crash onto something comfortable and sofa- or bed-height -- I'm really tired by then. (Something I won't injure myself on when I need to hit the restroom.) So, no this would definitely not work for me, and whatever compromises I need to make in life to avoid the situation, I will have to make. But I admire both his space efficiency and his ability to live with the constraints.

It does remind me of an RV, though.

Wow, this is an amazing use of space! Hats off to you, sir!

If I were living here (ha ha, as if I could ever design something so creative...) the only thing I would change would be the color. Namely, to add some!

Good idea, and I went with it too!

For anybody looking for a loft bed builder, go with Stephen. He owns the business Sticks for Stones Custom loft beds. He's a genius and can do CAD drawings of your space. He did for mine, and I live in a 9'x11' room. Now I have a couch, dresser, tv-stand, and coffee table. Oh, and his looks way better then the ones in this article, no offense. He says loft beds is all he does so of course they're going to be nice...

anyways. Just a tip.

Oh, I forgot. He only does work in the greater New York metro area. Sorry!