Small apartment challenge in a high-rise condominium in Palo Alto

At first glance the apartment was not just limited in size. It was also limited in natural lighting and ventilation. The only exterior exposure was a wall of 25 feet.
Expectations were low from the beginning. The obvious original design solution was to slice the 24x40 rectangular into two train-like narrower rectangular spaces of 12x40: one for living/kitchen/dining, and the other for a one bedroom bath and closet suite.

The problem with such a design solution emerged gradually as the whole apartment turned into a cluttered, cave-like accommodation with the realization that there is no hidden space where one would escape this suffocating experience. The challenge was therefore to find ways to turn the “oneness” of the space into a series of spaces that would flow from each other with ease and a sense of unlimited openness.

THE THREE DESIGN PRINCIPLE SOLUTIONS:

1. To open up the kitchen area that was next to the entry and avoid creating any enclosed spaces.

2. To maximize the exterior view by making the bedroom wall shorter and thus creating an additional interior window to the view between the bedroom the bedroom wall and the living room column…

3 To create a “design surprise” by converting the former open balcony into a three-dimensional contemporary painting that could easily turn into a sleeping area.

We hope that this unique experience completes the transformation of the unit into a more livable home.

By turning the Murphy bed located at the former open balcony into a three-dimensional contemporary painting that can easily turn back into a regular bed.