apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Yes, "odd" is the word! But that blank cube wall would make a great spot for projecting movies, I guess. Otherwise, I'd want to hang some spectacular piece of art there. The cozy bedroom inside makes sense in terms of using the space, but the structure is just so dominating to look at from the other side.

Very odd to orient the sleeping space away from the light and views and face it towards the kitchen and dining area instead...
...and so high off the upper platform that it's difficult to get in and out.

Wow. So cool.

well, i must say that of all rooms in the house the sleeping space is the least in need of light and a view, in my opinion ... i find this a very intriguing and liveable idea. very cool.

I wanted to like this---but I don't. I suspect the bed cube doesn't have enough air circulation, and is probably hot and stuffy.

Interesting, but way too "2001: A Space Odyssey" IMO...

That black chair on the left IS like the Djinn chairs from 2001! I wonder if it's the real deal or a repro.... (the real ones from the movie, when you can find them, are in heavy need of reupoholstering)

What if there was no back wall, and it was, like, a "open" cube?

(You'd ALWAYS have to make sure your bed was made...)

i love the cube!

"What if there was no back wall, and it was, like, a "open" cube?"

Or a half-wall: High enough to obscure the bed but still allowing for light and air within as well as allowing for a long-view through the structure...
...it could end up looking like the bridge of a dirigible, but might also be more interesting than just a plain box hanging from the ceiling.

This is an awesome idea that I think is not quite there yet.

This would really freak me out....thoughts of the whole contraption falling onto the floor below would keep me up at night. I feel like it would be better if there was something covering up that sliver of open space between the hall and the bedroom floor.

I would fall out.. I just know it.
klunk onto the mezzanine and then right through that little crack.

Looks neat-o from the other side though

..and where's the closet space? Where do they get dressed in the kitchen!? I am befuddled

Wow, what a trip. Not for me though, I like traditional houses. I respect the idea though.

It strikes me as a lot of fancy footwork for very little reward. The cube, even though suspended, renders most of the space below unusable or awkward to use (do you need to duck a little to get to that bookcase?). If the space isn't usable, then why not just plunk the whole thing on the floor? Furthermore, the cube blocks the line of sight from back to front, shadowing the dining area and making an already small space feel smaller. And do you really want your dinner guests facing into your bedroom instead of the living room windows?

There are easier ways to add a secret bedroom. Why not a built in lateral murphy bed where the bookshelf stands?

That big white block is desperately calling out for some large-scale artwork. It just looks big and blank as it is.

Love it!

Someone wrote, "where's the closet space?"

Closets are for hoarders. This couple is living a more minimalist lifestyle. But I bet that there are closets on the level below the raised area that the bedroom faces.

Someone else wrote, "This would really freak me out....thoughts of the whole contraption falling onto the floor below would keep me up at night."

Ridiculous. Engineering can be trusted to create stable platforms above the ground. I wonder if this person never sleeps on any platform that doesn't sit on rock-solid earth?

"What if there was no back wall, and it was, like, a "open" cube?"

Good thinking. Perhaps the cube could open (the closed side could swing up or out). Perhaps the backside could be faced with electrostatic glass sthat coud be turned opaque with a switch? Perhaps a simple roller shade or series of curtains could be employed for extra privacy/darkness.

I'd also put dwarf walls front and back of the cube, but other than that I think it is stunning.

LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE

That first picture is visually disturbing, like looking at a Magritte painting! I don't think I could live there, I definitly could not relax there, but I kinda like how it makes you a little nervous :)

Meh. Those of you blown-away by this design must be charmed by it's one and only "virtue" (if you can call it a virtue)-- the floating effect. Like RichardinLA said-- "lots of fancy footwork for little reward".

After the initial dazzle, we're left with a room that lacks space, privacy, air circulation, easy access*.

(* the climb into this room appears to be 2.5'-3', with no steps provided. Why not? Because steps would spoil the kewl floating effect!)

Ugh, how I tire of empty flashy effect, and its admirers.

interesting, but for a museum, not a home, not practical enough.

Funky concept, but I think a boat bed (suspended/cantilevered bed) would have achieved the same effect, but not visually break up the space, like the other readers have suggested, concerning the box. Getting into and out of the box also doesn't look so easy. Maybe if it had glass walls it would make a difference. If they wanted privacy they could have the glass which becomes opaque at the flick of a switch.

I would really hope that no one had the habit of sleep walking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WOW, just WOW. Whether it's your taste or not, you have to appreciate the idea. It's such a great use of space that'd otherwise be wasted, having a big open area and a bed stuck somewhere else.

I think that the outside white wall of the cube (as seen in the first pic) hovering over the lower living space would be a perfect screen for a projector. You'd look up to the cube and not need a TV. And if someone's asleep on the other side in the cube, they won't be bothered at all.

I'd have the place in a minute. My only issue is with it being all white. I'd have to have colored walls on either side or dark floors.

"Closets are for hoarders"? Are you for real?

Where does the liberated twenty-first century minimalist keep their clothing, shoes, hats, umbrellas, linens, brooms, and the like? (or, perhaps these old-fashioned conventions are for hopeless squares...)

LOVE WOW
COOL and everything else! It's purrfect! Yes, as other people said it's so 2001, and in more than one ways (I mean, there is a room there in front of you popping out of nowhere).
(I also love the play in the fourth pic, with the "hollow" lamp in front of the "hollow" room.)
(And I'd steal for the blue painting next to, ahem, the Ikea vase.)
Thanks for bringing this to us.

(Hm, as about the closets, just have a look at the linked page, they're there in the plan -- although it looks as if there's a problem with left and right in that plan, or is it me?)

It freaks me out. I'm not a morning person and having to stumble out of there for work every morning doesn't seem even remotely comfortable.

I definitely agree that there should be some kind of small stairs leading to the cube room... and it definitely needs something on the wall on the back... kind of a huge eye sore. Maybe some art work, but the projection screen also sounds like a great idea. I think maybe if it was painted it would feel more livable for me... but a great idea. I love apartments with a sleeping nook... usually they're kind of off to the side though, not in the middle of everything!

And i'm sure it wouldn't get stuffy in there... it would get more ventilation than a regular room since that wall is completely open... most bedrooms are enclosed with only a door. I agree that it isn't quite big enough to have a dresser, so i would also like to know where they get dressed and what not. Where do they keep their clothes... in the kitchen?? lol

Wonder how my single story mid century ranch could be configured to accept a cube....

So IN LOVE!

"Where does the liberated twenty-first century minimalist keep their clothing, shoes, hats, umbrellas, linens, brooms, and the like? (or, perhaps these old-fashioned conventions are for hopeless squares...)"

A minimalist goes nude. =) But seriously, most of that stuff is not necessary, at least not to the extent that the average person tends to accumulate that stuff.

I can only hope, VLADCOLE, that you're in no way involved in the field of architecture.

The fact that the average person squirrels away more crap than you approve doesn't negate the need for closets.

Very interesting idea. I agree with the comment about the half-wall though, I think the bedroom could use some light and air.

I think it looks awkward and off-balance. While I know logically that the cube must be stable and safe, I would still not feel comfortable in it, and the climb to get to it is kind of ridiculous.

Also, the lack of storage! Sure, minimalism, whatever, but one does need a few sets of clothes for different occasions. And if these people are so uber-minimalist and anti-consumerist or whatever, what's with all the expensive tchochkes and furniture? Whats with living in an uber-stylish designer apartment?

Too "progressive" for me, but if the owners love it that's all that matters.

hi, pls can u give the measurements for this cute apartment.. i like it very much. its totally unique. pls do email the measurements to shaina25883 at rediffmail dot com, sorry for the trouble but i would be grateful if u could do so. pls..thanks