Interior of a small apartment with multifunctional wooden cabinetry, green shelving, a fold-down bed, and a fold-out desk.

A compact studio apartment featuring multifunctional wooden cabinetry with green shelving, a fold-down bed, and a fold-out desk. A black metal ladder provides access to upper storage.

A woman using a multifunctional wooden cabinetry unit with green shelves and a fold-down bed in a compact apartment.
Person lying on a fold-down bed integrated into wooden cabinetry, with a ladder and bicycle in the background.
Interior of a small apartment with a wooden fold-down desk, green shelving, and a person standing near the cabinetry.
Person sitting at a fold-down desk integrated into wooden cabinetry, with a ladder and bicycle in the background.
Person standing by a black metal ladder near wooden cabinetry with a folded bicycle on the floor.
Person on ladder reaching for book on high green shelf in wooden cabinetry.
Person on ladder reaching into upper storage of a wooden cabinet system.
Interior of a modern apartment with wooden storage, gray sofa, black coffee table, and transparent chairs.
Person using a multifunctional wooden cabinetry system with green shelves and a sliding closet in a compact apartment.
Person organizing clothes in a wooden wardrobe with shelves and drawers in a compact apartment.
Person interacting with wooden cabinetry in a compact apartment, featuring shelves and a closet.
Person using a custom wooden cabinet with green shelves in a small apartment.
Person interacting with wooden cabinetry in a compact apartment with green shelving above.
A person opening a wooden cabinet in a small apartment, revealing a dark interior.
Interior of a small apartment with wooden cabinetry and hidden compartments, partially revealing a person.
Person preparing food in a compact kitchen with wooden and dark cabinets, integrated microwave, and black faucet.

Story

A transformative studio apartment that merges architecture with furniture. Nestled in the bustling cityscape near La Carolina Park in Quito, Ecuador, Doméstico innovative spatial design. Architects Juan Alberto Andrade and Maria Jose Vascones have ingeniously transformed a mere 296 square feet into a versatile living environment. The apartment is located within the Qorner building, a project by Moshe Safdie and Uribe Schwarzkopf, and addresses the urban challenge of maximizing functionality in limited space. The heart of Doméstico is a custom-built wooden installation that serves multiple roles: as architecture, furniture, and a room divider. This singular piece of cabinetry organizes the apartment into distinct functional zones, allowing the space to adapt seamlessly throughout the day. The cabinetry incorporates a kitchen, storage, laundry facilities, a bedroom, a library, a desk, a dining area, a bar, and a closet, all while maintaining a cohesive aesthetic.

Design Highlights

Multifunctional Cabinetry: The wooden installation acts as a comprehensive solution, integrating multiple household functions into one seamless structure. Fold-Down Bed: Concealed within the cabinetry, the bed transforms the living space into a bedroom with ease, revealing additional shelving when deployed. Adaptive Workspace: A fold-down desk emerges from the cabinetry, offering a workspace or dining area, enhancing the apartment's versatility. Vertical Storage: Extending to the ceiling, the cabinetry maximizes storage without encroaching on the floor space, accessible via a mounted ladder. Curved Design Elements: Soft curves in the cabinetry add warmth and a sculptural quality, breaking the linearity of the space. Concealed Kitchen: The kitchen is cleverly hidden within the hallway, maintaining the apartment's clean lines while providing essential cooking facilities.

Key Facts

Feature Detail
Location Quito, Ecuador
Architects Juan Alberto Andrade, Maria Jose Vascones
Area 27.5 sqm (296 sq ft)
Building Qorner by Moshe Safdie and Uribe Schwarzkopf
Main Material Wood
Functionality Multifunctional cabinetry
Doméstico exemplifies how thoughtful design can transcend spatial limitations, merging architecture and furniture into a cohesive, multifunctional living environment.

Technical Summary

Finishes

  • Wood Finish: The cabinetry features a warm wood finish that contributes to the apartment's cohesive and clean aesthetic.

Materials

  • Wood — Used extensively in the cabinetry and shelving throughout the apartment.
  • Metal — Used for the black ladder that provides access to upper storage areas.

Construction / Systems

  • Not specified

Products

  • Not specified

Palette / Lighting

  • Colors: warm wood tones, green shelving, dark kitchen surfaces
  • Lighting: Natural light enters through large windows, enhancing the bright and modern mood.

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View Juan Alberto Andrade and Maria Jose Vascones