For our architectural practice we wanted an unconventional and representative space, small and manageable, a place where we’ll feel more at home than at the office, providing a direct contact with the street and the city. Thus, we’ve decided to set our office in a 22 square meters garage (used for storage at that moment), on the ground floor of a 60’s apartment building in Cotroceni, recovering a forgotten space at the same time.

With a single room only, everything was designed with maximum efficiency possible. We wanted to integrate all the necessary utilities to operate independently, an expanded working area and a meeting /relaxing / dining room. All that without the cramped space feeling.

Besides the exterior glazing, the space finishing interventions were minimal (straightening and epoxy covering the floor). We have paid a special attention in the installations execution, to solve inside the space all the necessary equipment but also to get lower consumption for utilities (all lighting is LED technology, water efficient faucets). But what really transformed the space was, actually, the furnishing.

Basically, the unfinished walls are “dressed” in big pieces of furniture or cladding (including the ceiling). We wanted an intelligent, relaxed and very flexible space, which can be easily transformed depending on our needs. The closed furniture cabinets disguise all facilities (toilet, technical room, kitchen, big storage, printers, etc.) and the independent pieces of furniture are modular and can be reconfigured in different ways.

Project authors: Vlad Bostina, dana Bostina, Simona Istoc / arhiDOT design office
Photo : Arthur Tintu