Structure it right

Residences are being sized down to tiny spaces where each room serves as a multi-functional area. By Ranjani Govind

Spiralling land and input costs are seeing residences increasingly sized down to tiny spaces where each room serves as a multi-functional area, making the design a veritable challenge. The individual rooms are, not surprisingly, tiny with the high possibility of proving to be cramped and uninhabitable.

It is then left to the manner in which these individual spaces are designed to extract the maximum use and functionality without proving to be tight in their structure. A small flat cannot afford to have individual living, dining and kitchen areas. Even if these regions are segregated into tiny rooms, given the small size of each room, the functionality would be greatly impacted.

Architect Manoj Hiremath feels the functionality as well as the ambience of the space can be maintained if the design is free flowing. “This permits the presence of all three functional spaces in a single zone but where specific areas are deftly earmarked. Thus, the room could have one section designed to accommodate the living area. The remaining section could serve as the kitchen-cum-dining space,” he says.

Since segregation is desirable between the dining and cooking regions, the kitchen counter could feature against one segment of the room, the cabinets and storage area featuring over and below the counter.

A part of this counter can adjoin the washing machine and sink too, along with the refrigerator, thus converting merely a segment of the room alongside one portion of the wall into the kitchen.

Smart spaces

If space permits, a second counter can feature as the dining table as well as the segregating element between the living area and the kitchen. “If the space available is too cramped, the dining area could feature as another counter placed next to a wall. Thus, by merely segregating the placement of the functional spaces in the small room, the convenience of having individual functional zones is effortlessly created while keeping the room fairly uncluttered and spacious,” says architect Arati Chikkodi.

There is unlikely to be spaces available for a study area or even a reading zone. The size of the bedroom too is likely to be extremely small, posing the challenge of accommodating the cot as well as storage cabinets. The problem can be circumvented by designing a bunk bed where the bottom of the cot serves as the wardrobe, according to her.

The windowsill, especially if large, can be converted into an attractive seating zone, for reading or even doing some desk work by fitting in a portable small desk. This would leave the floor space open and uncluttered, giving the illusion of an open free sleeping area.

“If a bunk bed is not desired, the storage could feature under the cot as well as over the vertical portions of the walls above the bed. However, these vertically placed shelves would need to be designed aesthetically so as not to overcrowd the room,” adds Chikkodi

It is important to ensure there is abundant natural light and ventilation as this increases the energy in the small spaces, removing visually the cramped feeling.

Large windows, planters

Incorporating large windows wherever possible is vital to permit entry of sunlight and fresh air. These windows can be made to extend upwards vertically if horizontal expansion is limited.

Placing planter boxes in wrought iron baskets fitted on to exterior portion of the windows would further bring in the visual green, enhancing the energy levels of the interiors.

To bring in a feeling of greater visual expanse of space, the wall between the living area and the bedroom can also be removed, placing instead a moveable partition that is drawn out only when required.

Designing bedrooms: Page 2