If it weren't for the below-grade entry, it would be hard to tell this bright, loft-like apartment was once a dark, uninhabitable basement. But Seattle architecture firm Shed has an agile hand when it comes to thinking big in small spaces.
As one fan describes it, Shed "understands loft lust on a cellular level." To maintain an open feel in this narrow footprint, they employed several small-space design solutions.
In the living room, storage and display space is increased with wraparound shelves at sofa and ceiling height and extra deep window ledges. A double wide door with transom window let in even more light, which bounces off the high-gloss white paint on the wood-paneled walls and ceiling. The minimal white kitchen blends in with the rest of the space with storage contained in a partition wall. The placement of windows on either side of the partition and in the sleeping loft provide an uninterrupted view from one end of the apartment to the other, and a collapsed stair case saves precious floor space.
To see more of this basement conversion and other Shed-build designs, visit their site: www.shedbuild.com
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This is BRILLIANT!
... even with the floor plans, I can't really parse what's going on at all, especially the space the bed is in (between the 2nd and 4th pictures) but WANT.
Aside from all the books, though, the person presumably living here doesn't have much stuff. Is this a concept/model home or something?
Wow, COOL. I don't quite get the geometry - but I like it.
Oh oh! I got it: look at the top of photo 2 and you can see the lofted bed.
Once I spotted that, it suddenly all made sense. Whew, I'm pooped.
Brilliant is right! The angling of the high gloss ceiling and walls in the loft space is a wonderful way to push the sunlight into what otherwise could be a dreary space.
Yes, but in pic 4 the ceiling above the bed looks incredibly high, whereas from pic 2 you know it can't be so. Is that just an illusion, or is something cutting off the view in pic 2? (Rather, which picture is the illusion?)
if you follow the link to the shed website, there are many more pictures. this isn't a basement apartment. it is a garage conversion. a stand alone building, which explains the very high ceilings and the many windows. their site gives a much better sense of the lay out and orientation.
nice, but defintely not a basement.
A-HA! Got it. Very cool. It kind of reminds me of a ship's cabin, with the wood paneling and all that glossy whiteness. It's quite magical!
Definitely not a basement. More of a sunken apartment, if you will.
But a really cool sunken apartment!
No kidding it isn't your average basement apartment - because it isn't a basement at all.
Hint: Basements don't have huge windows and pitched ceilings.
I'm in love with everything except the staircase - too tricky! I'm curious what they mean by "collapsed staircase," because as far as I'm concerned that's a ladder.
Oh, WANT!
That is amazingly cool.
I wish we had more basements here in So Cal, I've always wanted a guest suite, and this would ROCK!
As for the windows- either the house is on a hillside, or they've used periscope windows- that's what I would do.
@seam2stressed -- know where to find a periscope window DIY? I googled usiing several iterations, and can't seem to locate anything. Something using reflection would be fantastic for my dark, dark basement kitchen and its useless, wall-facing windows. I don't even need a view, necessarily. Just light!
Seam2stressed I think they were known as light tubes in UK
@seam2stressed - There are plenty of garages in SoCal, which is what this is!
Amazing.
...Can't speak for others, but I'd certainly fall through-the-hole and/or down-the-stairs (ladder!!??) on my first night there! Otherwise, I love it!
It's gorgeous but I think I would get claustrophobic sleeping up there.
AT - This is not a basement apartment, in fact the apartment space is entirely above grade. Please take another look at the architect's photos and plans.
Wait, where's the basement? Love those windows though.
you rock!!! really cool dude!
joe
I LOVE THIS!!!