LOFT APARTMENT
Please click each image for larger detail. All dimensions in mm.
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Planning the Living Space
The living space of this loft conversion is planned to provide a gentle symbiosis of public and private functions without any solid wall separators. Thought is given to the flow of traffic through the space and visual obstacles are placed in a way that the viewer is allowed to catch only a glimpse of what lies beyond while at the same time being enticed to travel the distance.
The ceiling is left unaltered with unimpeded lines in order to unite the entirety of the living space, communicate the overall size and maintain the loft appeal. Alternatively, varying the floor levels is used to reduce the vast ceiling height to a more human scale, create spatial variety, break the visual perspective and define functional areas. With the action of stepping up or down conveying a feeling of arrival and transition from one space to another, the changing levels visually enlarge this modest size loft apartment.
The layout encourages exploration and discovery that encompass the full range of living where each setting has room to breathe and stimulate the senses. A rhythm that is comfortable, yet keen is achieved through the flow of all areas together. A main strip of traffic running diagonally the full length of the loft space is effortlessly achieved by the strategic placement of each one of the main functional areas.
The small entrance hall opens forward to the sitting/lounging area, which is purposely situated along the wall with large windows offering the best view for times of relaxation or guests entertainment. A basic slightly angular arrangement of lounge furniture allows for enjoying the view from various spots and contributes to the fluidity of the traffic flow.
Immediately to the right of the entrance hall is the kitchen with its two-step raised floor that emphasizes the prominence of this essential area with the additional bonus of making it possible to enjoy the same window views from a greater distance. A short and convenient groceries route to the refrigerator and storage cabinets is a very welcomed convenience for any cooking enthusiast. The kitchen triangle is completed with a sink-dishwasher island and an industrial style range offering a hassle-free space for the home chef. The curved doors of the end cabinets contribute to the ease of traffic in this unconventionally angled kitchen space. Rotating corner carousels efficiently utilize otherwise difficult to reach storage areas. The dining area is only a step down moving forward into loft space. A custom built-in table-bench combination provides a versatile seating solution. One side of the table offers booth style seats upon the one-step raised dining floor while the other curved side accommodates bar stools seating erected from the main floor one step lower. The curved edges of the entire kitchen and dining area floors contribute further to the fluidity and ease of traffic in the loft space.
Continuing further down the main traffic strip are the two areas that by nature require more privacy.
The sleeping area is located in a quiet corner away from the entrance and can be accessed via two sets of steps both from the main strip and the lounge. Its privacy in the context of an open-space interior is achieved by raising the floor to three steps above the main living area and through the placement of dividers. A double-sided shelving unit separates the sleeping and the sitting areas with partial visibility, with the potential of increasing the level of privacy by the use of portable screens or curtains. A headrest serving as a low partition wall accompanied by translucent blinds above allow for various levels of privacy and separation from the main strip.
Opposite the sleeping space, conveniently only a short distance away, is the washing/bathing area. The privacy needed for this space is achieved by obscuring the view through the installation of sandblasted glass panels. Sandblasted glass makes the most of the available light by subtle transmission and diffusion and makes it possible to maintain the flow of light while still declaring an intimate area. The bathroom area is further defined by the change in flooring: the timber planks end after a rounded lead into the space and transition into speckled rubber sheets to provide a waterproof, slip-resistant, naturally hygienic and non-porous surface. Inside the bathroom area a freestanding vertical radiator panel is triple functioning as a towel rail, a heater and a space divider.
Style Points
Following the function, in a stable balance, the style of this loft is contemporary with eclectic touches.
Colour coding the different living zones is used to define their functions, shape the space and provide a focus. Strong vivid colours (green in the cooking area, blue in the sleeping area, orange in the washing/bathing area, all three in the lounge) are used to humanize the cool, minimalist, industrial-style loft. The same effect is achieved by the expanse of timber flooring in a warm red-orange hue. With the exception of a few small orange accent walls in the bathroom area, all other walls are simply off-white to serve as a clean canvas for this intense colour palette.
Light
Light is maximized in this interior space with the use of glass (sandblasted glass wall), stainless steel, metal fixtures and reflective finishes (kitchen surfaces). An illusion of space with a dramatic increase in the light level is achieved by the extensive use of mirrors (kitchen backsplash, large mirrors in the kitchen area, dining area, entrance hall, and on the kitchen island wall facing the lounge).
Storage
Versatile storage solutions are implemented across the loft space.
In the entrance hall, a bench doubles as a storage unit. A large closet with a space-saving folding door utilizes the space offered by the combination of an unused by the kitchen area end cabinet unit and the space under the raised kitchen floor. The latter is also used for a smaller storage solution with a space-saving sliding door below the kitchen railing.
In the dining area the booth-style sitting bench doubles as a storage unit with a slide-open top.
Small corner and above-sink units provide storage space for essential bathroom necessities.
The bedroom area offers the largest amount of storage space. Apart from the obvious standing corner closet, it accommodates a lot of storage options under the three-step raised timber floor with three different access points: from the main passage way (for any items needed in the washing/bathing area, and other general uses), from the lounge area (dust free storage for any items needed in the living area), and from inside the bedroom (through marine-style hatches, perhaps for long-term storage). ♦