Parasite Studio's appropriately named White Studio apartment is as crisp and clean as brand new linen sheets, with elements of neoplasticism's philosophy of reduction of both form and colour to the essentials. Partitions have been thoughtfully designed to open up to let in additional light into separated rooms, while other parts open to reveal a plethora of storage options, including dollops of colour inside niches that break up the monotone starkness of a predominately white interior...
Architect's Parasite Studios described the project as such at Arch Daily as "an intervention where the white color is dominant and plays the role of a clean and immaculate background on which the main theme of the apartment is evolving - the furniture, which is treated as a unitary contemporary insertion. The effect of the interior design is based on the contrasts between support/insertion, old/new, permanent/temporary. The basic themes of the design are the rhythm of the paneling of the furniture pieces, the cuts and the cut-outs within them that follow the rhythm and the modulations of an idea of musicality", a design influenced directly by the owner's passion for jazz music (the little moments of colour are perhaps the high notes of this architectural musical piece).
Inspiration wise, there are a few retail options out there that offer you similar options to divide a large space while offering hidden storage: the IKEA Pax Wardrobe can be used as a partition and storage unit, and AT reader Alex showed us how to use as-is pieces from IKEA to create an expansive room divider with a less stark effect. Anyone else out there with similar room divider/storage systems they've purchased or created themselves out there?
[via ArchDaily]
[Photographs: Andrei Margulescu & Magazine Architectura]
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
I would die to have this much storage!!!
view atlantadesigner's profile
This is a 'small' apartment???
view Alora's profile
It's impressive, but I would hate to live there.
view Joan A.'s profile
Why are we so obsessed with storage???
I moved into a way smaller 2-bed apt with 3 closets (My daughter, Hubby and I) I've had to either donate, recycle or give away many of the things that I was dragging along and barely used. I now feel very light and liberated now that I don't have to think of storage, well additional storage.
My question is: Why not get rid of the extra baggage that so taunts us???
view Yolanda P's profile
The apartment is surprising, I would love to have such a *small* apartment myself, especially with so many cupboards. The wall has sort of a Mondrian feel to it.
However I find the whole space way too cold and clinical. Tha way the dining table is raised makes it look like a museum exhibit, I'd feel uneasy eating there...
This could be fun in a traditional-style room with hidden doors.
view Daniel Poitiers's profile
Alora -- that was my first thought too. someone explain how this is a small apartment, please.
view Kat1's profile
Alora and Kat1--yes, I had the same idea. This looks like something north of 650 square feet, which is not bad for the functional equivalent of a 1-bedroom. I saw no mention in the text of the actual size.
As to storage, I too would love to live with much less. The only thing I need is my books. I have stored all my music on my hard-disk, and I long for smaller, simpler environs. Those cabinets are the functional equivalent of a garage: if you have one, you put stuff there so it can be out of sight long enough that you lose emotional attachment, and after a period of time, you are ready to give it away or throw it away.
The design itself is like an attempt to go all out with one idea. It is not really the way I would like to live, but it gives interesting ideas about living in changable spaces.
view Usbek de Perse's profile
"use as-is pieces from IKEA" link is broken
view jenniejenjen's profile
It would be nice to get rid of all stuff, but if you are an active person, you will need a pair of sneakers and a gym bag. Or in my family's case, a hockey bag per person as well! Also I have to keep family photos and a few video games. I don't want to see all this stuff all the time so it needs to be stored. If you have people come over you might want to store some extra blankets and pillows or Xmas decorations. It's legitimate to actually need things and want to keep them!
view Joan in SB's profile
seems to me like no "small" apartment?
view animalcracker's profile
this apartment is gigantic.
view kiljoywashere's profile
Does anyone know where the red, hanging light fixtures come from or where one might find something similar?
view cleo57's profile
Gorgeous, even though that much white would probably get to me after a while but you did a great job. It does look huge.
view da90027's profile