MICRO-APARTMENT UNITS///// MUMINAH RASHID//MOSHE GOLDSTEIN //////////////ARCH-3510

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1 MICRO-APARTMENT UNITS/////

2 Micro Apartments are not only a thing of the future but a thing of the past. I have discovered through researching exactly what micro apartments are, that micro living is not only common but practiced world-wide. In Arusha, Tanzania, the African hut, with its sticks, mud material, and clay designs, are constructed to house on average seven to ten family members at a time. The average size of these huts are anywhere from 150 to 400 square feet. In these quarters are built in cabinetry and sleeping areas which folded and placed in its designated place. This is the only type of living for miles and miles. In Mali West Africa, South Africa, Cameroon, Ghana, Gambia, and so on, there also lay huts which resemble an ancient style of micro living. A cozy, comfortable, organized, way of living is more popular than I thought. Micro living in cities all across the Unites States are becoming more and more popular due to the population s direction. Market research has shown that people are staying single longer and having children later in life. Thirty three percent of city dwellers are single and without out child in New York City. Only eighteen percent of the city s housing is occupied by a nuclear family, defined as two parents and children under age 25. These recorded numbers are what is pushing the growth of the micro apartment. Along with the need for affordable rent comes the need for more living quarters, therefore, producing the micro apartment. I had the pleasure of visiting the Museum of the City of New York, which housed an exhibit of a micro apartment. I needed this experience before going with my original thought generated by the sound of a micro apartment. My thoughts were simply this, anything micro, unless it s a tumor, I don t want it. But once visiting this exhibit, I had a slight change of heart. I was able to see and experience micro living for that short hour in a half I was there, and was quite impressed. The organization, open ceiling, fold up furniture, all gave me a sense of space although there isn t much space. To me, space is very important. Space is important to the mind and spirit of an individual, and this is why my original thought was no. Creativity is something I found to be prevalent in designing a micro unit. The size of the room can put lots of constraints on your design freedom. Solving the issue of claustrophobia, placing furniture, and still having the necessary things inside the unit in order to be called an apartment, can get very tedious and tricky. But as I go through more and more research Im starting to see its not impossible. MUMINAH RASHID

3 THE WHARF OF D.C. ARCHITECT: PERKINS EASTMAN BRIEF ////HISTORY The Wharf development project located in Washington D.C. will be the first of its kind in the city. The projected site will be located at the corner of Maine Avenue SW and 9th Street SW along the water front. It is expected to house 500 residents and 40 percent will be allocated to micro apartments. These units are said to be between 300 and 380 sq ft per unit. They will feature built in furniture, cabinetry, small appliances, and Murphy beds. Tall ceiling heights, and large windows also give residents a sense of spacing and freedom along with the water front view.

4 THE BURNS BLOCK BLDG. ARCHITECT: GLEN STOKES & BRUCE CARSCADDEN ACHITECT INC. ////////BRIEF HISTORY The Burns Block Building Apartments are located in Vancouver Canada. Its the smallest micro apartment project in Canada. The Block contains 30 units ranging from 226 to 291 square feet. Its located in the Gastown area of Vancouver. Each apartment is equipped with flat screen tv s, compact dish-washer, fold out Murphy bed with inverted folding tables, couch, coffee table, but no oven. Although, the unit is quite cozy, the high ceilings, and large windows gives you a sense of airy spacing. The only downfall to this unit, is the absence of ovens, bathtubs, and double paned windows.

5 APARTMENT COMPONENTS //////// Photographs: Filip Slapal ARCHITECT: //////// Dalibor Hlavacek //LOCATION: Prague, Czech Republic Project Year: //////// 2012 Use of un-obstructive Partition Bleeding space-open feeling Lighting Practical height- visually spacious direct focus with continuing objects. Second level achieved without massing Material selection

6 APARTMENT COMPONENTS HEIGHT 2 VIEW 3 ILLUSION PARTIAL WALL 5 LIGHTING 6 RECESSED AREA 7 ALTERED ROOM SIZING MATERIAL

7 9 FLOW Micro Vision The possibility of micro living must transcend its limitations and find opportunity through inovation. In order to reinvent the rules and sell it to a world of luxury there must be no compromise; and what it lacks must be met with compensation. I don t want a Prius, No. I want to drive the Tesla. Rising to the occasion -with the user in mind, the tenements wont be revisited. Psychological comfort should be analized, space definition and devision re-examined, as well as the element of Flow. We live in a time when we can upload the entire human experience and share it with the world; unlimited by things. Simply. MOSHE GOLDSTEIN