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Collection by Tiffany Jow
Editor’s Pick

A Compact Home in Moscow Built on the Lowest Possible Budget

A budget home embraces custom details fit for a family of five.

Russian firm Le Atelier was approached by a family of five with three small children to construct a home on their 484-square-foot property in Moscow. With just $7,000 to build, finish, and furnish the house, the undertaking required both strategy and imagination. “Our challenge was finding a balance between different functions inside the house, and how much room was needed for each,” architect Sergey Kolchin says. His team designed a simple rectangular volume with a one-sided, sharply sloped roof. Windows placed throughout the three-floor structure offer exquisite views and natural light. Inside, a yellow entryway opens up into a kitchen, living room, and bathroom. Goose-step stairs—steps with a distinctive tread shape that’s ideal for compact spaces—lead to the master bedroom and bi-level kids’ room, the largest part of the home. Nearly all of the furnishings are built-in. By making them part of the construction process, the architects cut costs and customized ways of maximizing space.

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Placed throughout the home’s slatted wood exterior, windows are positioned to allow for the most attractive views and ample natural light. The sloped roof design was chosen for its minimal cost, and for its ability to redirect snow away from a neighboring residence.
Placed throughout the home’s slatted wood exterior, windows are positioned to allow for the most attractive views and ample natural light. The sloped roof design was chosen for its minimal cost, and for its ability to redirect snow away from a neighboring residence.
A corridor-like entrance invites residents into the home. The architects chose to use goose-step stairs because of their safety and efficiency in compact spaces. “This staircase is also the easiest in terms of construction,” Kolchin says. “It is nearly impossible to make any mistake while building it.”
A corridor-like entrance invites residents into the home. The architects chose to use goose-step stairs because of their safety and efficiency in compact spaces. “This staircase is also the easiest in terms of construction,” Kolchin says. “It is nearly impossible to make any mistake while building it.”
A pair of lights from IKEA hang above the first floor, which houses the living room, kitchen, and bathroom. Pine floors, painted black, run throughout the residence.
A pair of lights from IKEA hang above the first floor, which houses the living room, kitchen, and bathroom. Pine floors, painted black, run throughout the residence.
Chairs and lights from IKEA accompany a custom dining table, which incorporates shelving and storage space underneath.
Chairs and lights from IKEA accompany a custom dining table, which incorporates shelving and storage space underneath.
Like the nearby dining room wall, this custom-made wood storage space was painted white then enhanced with a geometric pattern, drawn on with black felt-tip pens. Cabinet handles from Leroy Merlin complement the graphic design.
Like the nearby dining room wall, this custom-made wood storage space was painted white then enhanced with a geometric pattern, drawn on with black felt-tip pens. Cabinet handles from Leroy Merlin complement the graphic design.
Inspired by “polati,” a sleeping loft that featured prominently in traditional Russian homes, Le Atelier created a series of tiny bedrooms that connect to a playroom with a study upstairs. A clock and lights from IKEA blend into the room’s simple color palette.
Inspired by “polati,” a sleeping loft that featured prominently in traditional Russian homes, Le Atelier created a series of tiny bedrooms that connect to a playroom with a study upstairs. A clock and lights from IKEA blend into the room’s simple color palette.
The pared-down aesthetic of the children’s bedrooms lets their chartreuse walls pop.
The pared-down aesthetic of the children’s bedrooms lets their chartreuse walls pop.
Home Renovation Tip: Make a Realistic Budget
Home Renovation Tip: Make a Realistic Budget