Back in 2019 we were asked to design two ‘micro apartments’ as a show unit, located in Tangerang, Indonesia. We were quite intrigued because this is a unique project, compared to the hotels and large luxury apartment units that we usually do in the office. So then we set out to prove the main challenge of the project, which is, can we show you how to cook, shower, iron, eat, relax, in such a tight space?
The first unit is a Studio apartment with a gross area of 18 square meters. The size and dimensions of this unit are designed to accommodate the needs of young professionals. For the interior design, we implemented the Urban Modernist concept to give the aesthetic that imbues youth and professionalism, aligning with the demographic in Tangerang. Colors that were chosen are shades of gray with fine accents of black on the edges and corners.
When we enter the Studio unit, we are in the kitchen area where the design challenges immediately begin. To show that this unit is feasible for living, INSADA needed to make sure that not a single square meter is wasted. The compact kitchen area features a fully functional kitchen, a separate spice rack, and a shoe rack. Entering the entry door, on the left is a fully functional kitchen compacted to only 1.6 meters wide. This kitchen is equipped with a 2-burner induction stove, 1 sink, 1 refrigerator, and a small washing machine positioned in a cupboard above the refrigerator. To further complement the function of the kitchen, there is a cutting board, and wine storage that can be pulled out if needed, and a hidden spice rack is located on the opposite wall of the kitchen set. High gloss white lacquer paint is used for the kitchen body, white solid surface for the counter top, and dark gray accent back painted glass as a backsplash. As for the floor material, homogeneous tile material is used so that the kitchen area can be cleaned easily. The doors of the spice rack and shoe rack are covered with wallpaper to get a concealed effect.
Moving from the kitchen area to the sleeping area, you will pass a 1.4 meters wardrobe. We use glass doors for this wardrobe so that the built in furniture feels light.
Behind the kitchen set is the bathroom, which is accessed from the main living area. For the partition between the living and bathroom, we used a sliding glass assembly with a variation of clear and patterned glass with a black frame. This is for multiple reasons; which are to save space, to make the partition appear light, to maximize the space depth perception, and at the same time, to achieve privacy within the bathroom. Despite the limited bathroom space, we managed to get proper dimensions for all the necessary bathroom needs. The space width for the toilet is achieved at a minimum of 800mm, the shower, complete with glass doors is 900 x 950 mm, and to further save space we chose to use a semi-mounted lavatory top, paired with a marble vanity counter. To make sure the space appears bigger, half of the wall on the vanity side of the bathroom is covered with gray glass, embellished with circular clear glass aligned with the lavatory counter. A lavatory faucet is also placed off-center as a space-saving measure within the bathroom. Additionally, we used black painted bent steel as a counter space next to the toilet, fitting for the urban modernist style of the studio.
For the main bedroom space, we placed a proper queen-sized bed in the middle of the room with bedside tables on either side of the bed. This selection is to communicate to the buyers that this space is ample for a proper living despite the seemingly small sqm. Across the bed is the accent wall, spanning 2.9 m, where we designed it to be rich with features; such as a wall-mounted TV, a pull-up dining table, a vanity drawer, and a pull-out ironing table. Furniture in this space is designed to be and to appear light and maintain an uninterrupted view of the ground plane as much as possible. Hence, the bed is lifted from the ground with elegant metal feet instead of the commonly used bed divan. The bedside table is supported by a similar light metal expression as the bed to the ground and also mounted to the wall. Table lamps are hung from the ceiling, reading lamps are mounted to the thinly profiled headboard. Meanwhile, the two chairs and coffee table in the space are also thinly profiled on the edges and meant to be easily moveable, adapting to the exact needs of the inhabitants for that moment, whether it's reading, dining, or more.
In terms of materiality, we transitioned our floor from homogeneous tile to engineered wooden parquet floor in this space. This is to introduce a softer surface, a more subdued texture, and overall, a homier feeling, despite this small space. On the walls, we continue the wallpaper finishing where it's necessary, and introduce wooden textures on the accent walls, for a similar purpose as the floors. Final touches to the room were given in the form of artworks and carpet, to give the space a breath of color and life.
The second unit that we designed is a one-bedroom apartment unit with approx 22.5 sqm gross. With a difference of 4 sqm compared to the studio unit, this unit has a challenge to fit an additional living room.
To differentiate this unit from the first, we implemented a different concept, different color scheme. We call this style, a timeless style, which draws from the heart of contemporary culture that encompasses the development of design within the 20th century and makes it relevant for today. The furniture features a soft silhouette combined with natural and bold colors on interior finishes and rich textured fabric. It aims to be a space that is long lasting, luxurious, and fresh. Color scheme that we implemented is also more mature, with shades of warm colored wood prominently framing the view frames within the unit. As connective stylistic tissue to the previous unit, we also added black accent lines throughout the unit.
Similar to the studio room, once you enter the front door of the unit, you are in the kitchen space. In this area, we managed to integrate a full kitchen, refrigerator, shoe rack, washing machine, all in a one sided 2.2 m width wall. This frees up the other side of the corridor for entry to the bathroom. We use the glass partition & door assembly to establish separation between kitchen corridor and bathroom. This one-bedroom unit bathroom is also extremely compact, with strategies such as semi recessed vanity, off center faucet, large mirror wall, implemented to ensure this space appears bigger than it is. Goes without saying, minimal standard dimensions discussed in previous are achieved within the bathroom. Both the kitchen and bathroom uses Homogeneous Tile as a floor material, chosen for its budget and ease of maintenance.
Moving inside from the kitchen corridor is the living room and bedroom area, softly separated visually by a decorative partition with a vertical geometric pattern. Despite the small unit size, we are adamant that we represent a proper living area furniture arrangement, complete with a full-sized 2-seater sofa, a coffee table, and a lounge chair. And across the decorative partition is the queen-sized bed. Across the living room seating arrangement is the accent wall, spanning across the living and bedroom area. Similar to the accent wall in the studio unit, this accent wall is also packed with features. To achieve flexibility in entertainment & media, we installed a movable wall with a TV mounted on it that can slide from the living to the bedroom so one can enjoy in either position. Cables necessary for the TV are given extra slack and connected to rail coves on the ceiling. Behind the sliding TV wall in the living room, is a 1,8 m wide working table, pull-up dining table, concealed vanity mirror & storage, and also a pullout ironing rack. Meanwhile, the accent wall on the side of the bedroom features a 1,5-meter wide wardrobe.
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