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Collection by Laura C. Mallonee

A Tiny Tel Aviv Apartment Packs a Punch with No Walls

The architects used custom cabinets and glass to act as room dividers.

“Every inch was critical,” Maayan Zusman says, explaining why she and collaborators Amir Navon of 6b Studio and Moran Ben Ami didn’t put up a single interior wall in the Tel Aviv flat they renovated last year. Within its paltry 592 square feet, they hoped to fit two bedrooms, one bathroom, a guest toilet and an open balcony—a seemingly impossible feat. They accomplished it by smartly partitioning space with custom cabinets and glass dividers that lend the apartment an airy, open feel.

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The architect chose glass to segment space because it takes up fewer centimeters than constructed walls, thus helping the room feel larger. Curtains can be drawn closed for privacy. The bed and side table are custom, while the pendant light is from Exclusive Lighting.
The architect chose glass to segment space because it takes up fewer centimeters than constructed walls, thus helping the room feel larger. Curtains can be drawn closed for privacy. The bed and side table are custom, while the pendant light is from Exclusive Lighting.
In the bedroom, floor-to-ceiling cabinets with depressed handles serve as a de facto wall leading out to the main area. They contain spaces for hanging clothes and storage. Track lighting eliminates the need for floor lamps.
In the bedroom, floor-to-ceiling cabinets with depressed handles serve as a de facto wall leading out to the main area. They contain spaces for hanging clothes and storage. Track lighting eliminates the need for floor lamps.
The designers played with temperature in their selection of materials, contrasting glass with white-painted wood, and gray cement tiles with oak. They also mixed natural colors with bolder ones—black, yellow, turquoise, and even small pops of pink. “They create a luxurious look while opening up the space, providing a clean and fresh feel,” Zusman says. The living room couch is custom and the chairs are from Habitat.
The designers played with temperature in their selection of materials, contrasting glass with white-painted wood, and gray cement tiles with oak. They also mixed natural colors with bolder ones—black, yellow, turquoise, and even small pops of pink. “They create a luxurious look while opening up the space, providing a clean and fresh feel,” Zusman says. The living room couch is custom and the chairs are from Habitat.
A black glass cube at the center of the flat adds a touch of drama. “The box protrudes into space, but with elegance,” Zusman says. It contains the guest bathroom, outfitted in fixtures by Hezi Bank, a custom sink stand, and custom cabinets.
A black glass cube at the center of the flat adds a touch of drama. “The box protrudes into space, but with elegance,” Zusman says. It contains the guest bathroom, outfitted in fixtures by Hezi Bank, a custom sink stand, and custom cabinets.
In the bedroom, black blinds and a headboard together form a single rectangular block that anchors the space. The pendant lamp is from Exclusive Lighting.
In the bedroom, black blinds and a headboard together form a single rectangular block that anchors the space. The pendant lamp is from Exclusive Lighting.
“Apartments in Tel Aviv are usually in old buildings with some history,” Zusman says. They chose to reveal some of that by leaving sections of brick exposed. By the window, an Elephant chair by Kristalia tucks into a custom desk.
“Apartments in Tel Aviv are usually in old buildings with some history,” Zusman says. They chose to reveal some of that by leaving sections of brick exposed. By the window, an Elephant chair by Kristalia tucks into a custom desk.
In the kitchen, the custom cabinets contain special compartments that hide appliances from sight. The room draws in natural light from the balcony.
In the kitchen, the custom cabinets contain special compartments that hide appliances from sight. The room draws in natural light from the balcony.
The flat’s quirky door handles were custom-made from recycled wood. They offer another example of “cold” glass meeting “warm” wood.
The flat’s quirky door handles were custom-made from recycled wood. They offer another example of “cold” glass meeting “warm” wood.