Polygraph Design
The adaptable flat
As we grow older, our need for living space changes – sometimes even faster than we’d planned. On the one hand, family and work life have become more dynamic than ever: from one day to the next, we might have to take care of our parents or need a home office at short notice. On the other hand, living space in cities has become increasingly scarce and expensive. While some could get by with less living space, others are desperately looking for a place to live.
Polygraph Design
Instead of putting up with the frustration of looking for a new home every time our lives change, smart floor plans can make conversions easier. And modular micro-flats make housing affordable for singles, students and others.
Projects and examples
Elastic Quarter
PPAG architects, 2015–16
Eight small rooms are arranged around a large living room. Three of them are designated as kitchen, bathroom and storage room. The rest can be used as independent rooms, open alcoves or even combined into one large room. In this way, the flat is adaptable to the needs of an elderly couple as much as to those of a family of five. This “elastic” flat was developed as a 200-unit residential building for a Berlin housing association. However, the project was stopped by the Berlin Senate without any reasons being given. More information at: www.ppag.at
House MJE
PKMN Architectures
This flat in Asturias, Spain, is adaptable at any time to the different activities of its residents. A system of rotating walls and hinged furniture makes it possible. In the morning, the children can use the entire flat as a skateboard park; at lunchtime, the living room can accommodate guests for a family meal; and at night, family members can find peace in their own little rooms. House MJE is part of the architectural firm’s research project “Living Big”.
Co-Being House
Tiny Foundation
Moving beyond the already well-known 100-euros flat – a tiny house with bathroom, bedroom, living room and kitchen – the team around architect Van Bo Le-Mentzel is developing the Co-Being House. Up to three tiny houses – each with 6.4 square metres of living space for 100 euros a month – can be stacked on top of one another. Not only single students, but also a family of four could rent four flats for a total of 400 euros per month. Thanks to flexible floor plans and the modular construction, excess bathrooms can be converted into walk-in wardrobes. Individual houselets can be coupled to form two-, three- or four-room flats. Plots still need to be found in order to turn this affordable housing idea into reality. Perhaps in the future, intelligent solutions will be found for this problem too. More information at: tinyfoundation.mystrikingly.com
Silo House
Refunc
Architect and Refunc co-founder Jan Körbes successfully transforms industrial relics into habitable spaces. Out of a silo, he created a cosy home for himself and his young daughter. Many well-thought-out details inside made it possible. Jan Körbes and his daughter lived in the silo house for three years. Currently, it’s being used as living space for artists from the Z/KU Center for Art and Urbanistics in Berlin. More information at: www.refunc.nl