Architecture

Alice in Wonderland use of geometry expands size of Spanish apartment

Alice in Wonderland use of geometry expands size of Spanish apartment
The Cabinet Studio Apartment is filled with specifically designed and positioned elements such as contrasting 3D geometric and mosaic tile flooring; white walls and a small elevated "door"
The Cabinet Studio Apartment is filled with specifically designed and positioned elements such as contrasting 3D geometric and mosaic tile flooring; white walls and a small elevated "door"
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The architects took advantage of the home's corner position
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The architects took advantage of the home's corner position
Barcelona based design studio Anna and Eugeni Bach Architects has recently taken its hand to transforming an old single bedroom apartment in Valencia
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Barcelona based design studio Anna and Eugeni Bach Architects has recently taken its hand to transforming an old single bedroom apartment in Valencia
The living room looks out across the urban exterior, with large doubel glass doors providing access to the balcony
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The living room looks out across the urban exterior, with large doubel glass doors providing access to the balcony
The combination of the home's angular floorplan, geometric design elements and interior furnishings gives the impression of additional space
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 The combination of the home's angular floorplan, geometric design elements and interior furnishings gives the impression of additional space
Skinny wooden staicase leads to a mezzanine loft ideal for additional storage
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Skinny wooden staicase leads to a mezzanine loft ideal for additional storage
The key feature of the home is the bespoke service wall that runs through the core of the home and adjoins the three rooms
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The key feature of the home is the bespoke service wall that runs through the core of the home and adjoins the three rooms
The elevated loft space is accessible via the skinny wall steps
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The elevated loft space is accessible via the skinny wall steps
Anna and Eugeni Bach Architects built the central wooden functional wall to provide the home with all the services it needs without stealing space from the home's principal rooms
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Anna and Eugeni Bach Architects built the central wooden functional wall to provide the home with all the services it needs without stealing space from the home's principal rooms
The Cabinet Studio Apartment is a 77-sq m (829-sq ft) home boasting interior furnishings and design elements that play with the eye to create the illusion of extra space
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The Cabinet Studio Apartment is a 77-sq m (829-sq ft) home boasting interior furnishings and design elements that play with the eye to create the illusion of extra space
The Cabinet Studio Apartment is filled with specifically designed and positioned elements such as contrasting 3D geometric and mosaic tile flooring; white walls and a small elevated "door"
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The Cabinet Studio Apartment is filled with specifically designed and positioned elements such as contrasting 3D geometric and mosaic tile flooring; white walls and a small elevated "door"
The home even includes a secret doorway hidden within the timber feature wall, leading to the concealed bathroom
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The home even includes a secret doorway hidden within the timber feature wall, leading to the concealed bathroom
The concealed bathroom features basin, storage, shower and seperate toilet
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The concealed bathroom features basin, storage, shower and seperate toilet
Original floorplan of the Cabinet Studio Apartment
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Original floorplan of the Cabinet Studio Apartment
New floorplan with bespoke timber service wall by Anna and Eugeni Bach Architects
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New floorplan with bespoke timber service wall by Anna and Eugeni Bach Architects
Cross section plans of the Cabinet Studio Apartment by Anna and Eugeni Bach Architects
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Cross section plans of the Cabinet Studio Apartment by Anna and Eugeni Bach Architects
Running along the 45-degree trendline of the home, the functional service wall features a European style kitchen; ample storage; hidden bathroom; and an elevated loft
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Running along the 45-degree trendline of the home, the functional service wall features a European style kitchen; ample storage; hidden bathroom; and an elevated loft
View gallery - 16 images

Barcelona-based design studio Anna and Eugeni Bach Architects has recently turned its hand to transforming an old single bedroom apartment in Valencia, Spain. Dubbed Cabinet Studio Apartment, the 77-sq m (829-sq ft) home boasts interior furnishings and design elements that play with the eye to create the illusion of extra space. To achieve this the architects took advantage of the home's corner position and designed the interior spaces with 45-degree angles.

The Cabinet Studio Apartment is filled with specifically designed and positioned elements, such as contrasting 3D geometric and mosaic tile flooring, white walls, a small elevated "door", skinny timber wall staircase, extra tall doors and super high ceilings. The combination of the home's angular floor plan, geometric design elements and interior furnishings gives the impression of additional space.

The architects took advantage of the home's corner position
The architects took advantage of the home's corner position

Walking through the home one could be forgiven for feeling like they were on the Alice in Wonderland film set – the home even includes a secret doorway hidden within the timber feature wall, leading to the concealed bathroom.

The Cabinet Studio Apartment features a large entrance hall, open plan kitchen with dining area, master bedroom, bathroom with separate shower and toilet, and a large living room with connecting balcony. The key feature of the home is the bespoke service wall that runs through the core of the home and adjoins the three rooms. Anna and Eugeni Bach Architects built the central wooden functional wall to provide the home with all the services it needs without stealing space from the home's principal rooms.

Anna and Eugeni Bach Architects built the central wooden functional wall to provide the home with all the services it needs without stealing space from the home's principal rooms
Anna and Eugeni Bach Architects built the central wooden functional wall to provide the home with all the services it needs without stealing space from the home's principal rooms

Running along the 45-degree trendline of the home, the functional service wall features a European style kitchen, ample storage, bookshelf, hidden bathroom, and an elevated loft. The elevated loft space is accessible via the skinny wall steps and is designed to be used as storage space, mezzanine study or additional sleeping quarters for unexpected guests or the grandchildren. Although, we'd like to see a few more safety measure included before giving access to kids, as the open steps and height are already red flags.

The Cabinet Studio Apartment in Valencia will be used as an architectural study piece for the next 15 years, with the plan for it to be used for retirement living in the future.

Source: Anna and Eugeni Bach Architects

View gallery - 16 images
3 comments
3 comments
paul314
829 square feet isn't exactly a small apartment, especially with ceilings like that. Any new yorker will tell you that things only start gettting cozy when you go under about 500 sq ft, or about 300 sq ft per person. But it makes a pretty architectural study piece.
ChuckM59
Great concept, but I'm wondering why the architects didn't consider horizontal roll-out stairwells to provide wider steps for better footing. The steps could be pushed back into the wall when not in use and handrails could be located on the open side and used as handles to retract or extend the stairs as needed.
Douglas Bennett Rogers
This is really a one bedroom, and not a studio. It actually meets the older FHA minimum of 832 sq. ft. for a house.