Nestled within a charming 1950s residential building in Rotterdam, the Cabanon is a remarkable apartment that spans just 6.89 square meters. This compact yet fully equipped space boasts two infrared saunas and a luxurious whirlpool bath. The transformation of a former storage attic into this unique living area was skillfully executed by Beatriz Ramo of STAR and Bernd Upmeyer of BOARD.
The Cabanon is ingeniously organized into four distinct zones, each showcasing a strikingly different palette of materials, colors, and heights. The living room soars to an impressive height of 3 meters, while the bedroom, designed for optimal storage, is a cozy 1.14 meters high. Additionally, the apartment features a toilet complete with a refreshing rain-shower and a dedicated spa area.
Taking inspiration from Le Corbusier’s cabin at the Côte d’Azur, the Cabanon reflects the vision of its architects, who are also its intended inhabitants. This project serves as an exploration of spatial efficiency for the couple, who have embraced the philosophy of personal growth through voluntary simplicity. However, this approach is far from austere; as the architects describe it,”‘The Cabanon is of the most luxurious smallness, an ‘epicurean reduction.'”
The autonomous apartment is thoughtfully designed, incorporating a small bed, a bench that runs along the window, a compact kitchen, a rain-shower, two infrared saunas, and a whirlpool bath. Each element is meticulously crafted to create a harmonious living environment that feels like a sanctuary, tailored to the proportions of its owners.
Beatriz Ramo and Bernd Upmeyer, standing at heights of 1.72 meters and 1.78 meters respectively, have ensured that the dimensions of each room are perfectly suited to their needs. As more functions were integrated into the space, the Cabanon seemed to expand, thanks to the clever manipulation of ceiling heights and layouts.
The Dutch designers from STAR strategies + architecture and BOARD – Bureau of Architecture, Research, and Design have skillfully crafted the four unique areas using standard products to maintain affordability. The bedroom was designed around a specific mattress, the spa was tailored to accommodate the bathtub’s length, and the kitchen was optimized for the depth of a mini-fridge, showcasing a perfect blend of practicality and creativity.
The materials of the Cabanon could have incurred costs four times higher if they had been executed in their original hues. The spa was initially envisioned with luxurious green marble, while the shower was to feature pristine white mosaic, and the living room was designed with striking blue cement tiles. However, the final design showcases black Chinese marble from the 1980s in the spa, a blue mosaic for the shower, and coral cement tiles in the living room. The only color that was intentionally selected for the bedroom is a refreshing mint green.
Designers Beatriz Ramo and Bernd Upmeyer believe that the Cabanon holds the potential to optimize both housing and costs. They suggest that we can draw from its strategies to enhance contemporary housing production, making it more efficient and affordable. One key aspect is the optimization of space, which they define not as a mere reduction but as a maximization of the possibilities inherent in a given area.
Another strategy involves modulating the heights of certain spaces to allow for the superimposition of various functions. This approach encourages a more dynamic use of space, enabling different activities to coexist harmoniously within the same environment.
Additionally, the designers advocate for a detachment from possession and consumerism. By fostering a mindset that discourages the accumulation of unnecessary items, we can create living spaces that are less cluttered, both physically and mentally. This philosophy promotes a more intentional way of living, where each item serves a purpose.
The apartment was conceived by STAR and BOARD shortly after they completed a significant research project in 2012 focused on the ‘maximization of space’ through sharing, as part of their initiative Co-Residence for the Atelier International du Grand Paris. This project emphasized collaboration and communal living as a means to enhance spatial efficiency.
In contrast, for the Cabanon, the designers took a different approach, experimenting with the concept of reduction. This exploration allowed them to challenge conventional notions of space and functionality, ultimately leading to innovative solutions that prioritize quality and thoughtful design over mere quantity.