The purpose of this project reflects a problem that many families sometimes face in their life: the increase of the household.
The key issue in the whole project was the improvement of the couple two children room, a boy and a girl still of young age. The existing 2-bedroom apartment layout started to be small for two children in a single room. The larger double bedroom with private bathroom has become the logical choice to solve this problem: an exchange was carried out.
A new bedroom layout was developed for both children and custom-designed furniture with separate beds and storage made, so that they could have their own space and thus retain their identity. The furniture layout took into account the need to provide the maximum free space to play, avoiding the constant “camping” in the living room. We opted for a simple decoration, where white was the dominant colour and more two different tones to suit each child preferences (pink and ocean blue). The yellow unifies all the decorative elements, transmitting the energy necessary for these ages.
With this reversal, we also manage to maximize the available space in the couple bedroom in order to create new storage space. A wall cupboard was designed, framing the existing window, in which a small niche for reading and sitting arises. As a dominant colour in space we Winter Gray is the dominant colour on the walls creating a cosy atmosphere that contrasts with the new white lacquered furniture.
In the living room the challenge was to keep the existing furniture, incorporate the extra-large bookcase formerly placed in the children’s room and increase the storage space. To do so, we designed a built-in wall cabinet between the pillar and the wall in the living room corner, defining clearly the room backwall. The incorporation of the bookcase led us to opt for a sliding door system in a single panel, distinct from the existing double door at the living room entrance. The arrangement of the sofas and their relation with the TV made us reverse their positions, in order to create a clear distinction between the living area and the dining area.
Normally, society is accustomed to having architects intervene before spaces are inhabited. However, our contribution may be also as relevant after the spaces being used, helping to improve the space layout and use. That was the big challenge in this project.
Existing situation reflecting the living room occupation by the kids.
The lack of space was evident in the old children's room.
View of the entrance area of the children's old bedroom.
Floor plan of the apartment before the intervention, with furniture.
