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 interacts with a multifunctional wooden cabinetry unit in a compact apartment. The unit features green shelving at the top and includes a fold-down bed, which is shown in both a closed and open position. A black metal ladder is visible on the left, providing access to the upper shelves.
A person is lying on a fold-down bed integrated into a wooden cabinetry unit in a compact apartment. A black metal ladder is mounted on the wall, providing access to upper storage areas. A bicycle is visible in the background, and a pair of boots are placed on the floor.
Interior view of a compact apartment featuring a wooden fold-down desk and chair, with green shelving above and a person interacting with the cabinetry.
A person sitting at a fold-down wooden desk integrated into a wall of cabinetry, drinking from a cup. A black metal ladder is mounted on the wall next to the cabinetry, and a bicycle is visible in the background.
A person standing next to a black metal ladder attached to a wall with wooden cabinetry. A folded bicycle is placed on the floor nearby.
A person standing on a black ladder reaching for a book on a high green shelf integrated into a wooden cabinetry unit.
A person standing on a black metal ladder accesses upper storage in a wooden cabinet system.
A modern interior space featuring a wooden storage unit with open shelves and drawers, a small gray sofa, a black round coffee table, and two transparent green chairs. A person is holding a watering can near the storage unit. A large window allows natural light to enter the room.
A person interacting with a multifunctional wooden cabinetry system in a compact apartment, featuring green shelving and a sliding closet with drawers.
A person organizing clothes in a wooden wardrobe with shelves and drawers, in a compact apartment setting.
A person interacts with a custom-built wooden cabinetry system in a compact apartment. The cabinetry includes shelves, storage compartments, and a closet. Green shelving units are visible at the top, holding books and decorative items.
A person interacts with a custom-built wooden cabinet in a compact apartment interior. The cabinet features green shelving above and a sliding door revealing additional storage space. A small desk with an open book is visible on the left.
A person interacting with a custom-built wooden cabinetry installation in a compact apartment, featuring green shelving above.
A person interacting with a wooden cabinet in a compact apartment.
Interior view of a compact apartment featuring custom wooden cabinetry with hidden compartments and a person partially visible behind a panel.
A person is preparing food in a compact kitchen area with wooden cabinetry and dark upper cabinets. A microwave is integrated into the cabinetry, and a black faucet is visible above the sink.

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.

Project information and images courtesy of Juan Alberto Andrade and Maria Jose Vascones. Originally published by contemporist.com.

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