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How Much Function Can Be Added to a 462-Square-Foot Apartment?

10.10.22 | By
How Much Function Can Be Added to a 462-Square-Foot Apartment?

The answer is a lot. Woon Chung Yen of Metre Architects designed a multipurpose structure to reside in the open space of this compact apartment in Singapore. The layered structure contains a bed, a comfy seating area for TV watching, a desk/table for working, eating, or entertaining, stairs to reach the bed, and tons of storage.

small apartment interior with a multifunctional structure housing bed and storage

The custom unit starts at the far end of the apartment at its highest point with the bed, before it transitions down in a sloped fashion to the seating area. The bed rises up to reveal hidden storage, while additional storage drawers are built next to the upholstered seating at the end.

small apartment interior with a multifunctional structure housing bed and storage

small apartment interior with a multifunctional structure housing bed and storage

Storage runs along the main length of the structure with drawers under the bed and cabinets in the alternating block stairs.

small apartment interior with a multifunctional structure housing bed and storage

small apartment interior with a multifunctional structure housing bed and storage

small apartment interior with a multifunctional structure housing bed and storage

small apartment interior with a multifunctional structure housing bed and storage

small apartment interior with a multifunctional structure housing bed and storage

At the opposite end, the plain white wall is transformed with a complementary wall design that’s the backdrop for the television, as well as bench seating with storage below.

small apartment interior with a multifunctional structure housing bed and storage

night time view of small apartment interior with a multifunctional structure housing bed and storage

A glass partition is installed between the living area and the kitchen to provide definition between the two spaces.

night time view of small apartment interior with a multifunctional structure housing bed and storage

night time view of small apartment interior with a multifunctional structure housing bed and storage

small apartment interior with a multifunctional structure housing bed and storage

Before

before photo of small apartment interior with a multifunctional structure housing bed and storage

Before

before photo of small apartment interior with a multifunctional structure housing bed and storage

Before

sketch of multipurpose bed structure for small apartment

sketch of multipurpose bed structure for small apartment

Photos by Studio Periphery.

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.