The designers, Nahuel Alvarez & Florencia Aparicio of MoobArq, an Argentinian design firm, were inspired by digital art illustrations with geometric designs and bold colours, and they set out to create a space that would be both functional and visually appealing.
Located in the Barrio Norte neighbourhood, the apartment had two bedrooms, a living room, a dining area, and a patio. The designers wanted to optimize the space for activities like music, art classes, and relaxation at home. They loved the high ceiling and decided to open up the space by demolishing the wall that divided the kitchen, living, and dining rooms. This created a single, open space under a glass ceiling, which allowed for lots of natural light to spill into the apartment.
The designers used different colours for the walls and furniture to create zones within the apartment, depending on where you are in the space. As you move around, the colours change around you. In the middle of the room, there is a white metal breakfast bar with a built-in spice rack. The area under the glass ceiling serves multiple purposes, with a music studio on one side and a laundry area on the other. The designers even left a gap between the cabinets in the kitchen for the cat to play in.
The living room is situated under a mezzanine, which creates a feeling of cosiness and intimacy. The mezzanine is reached by a mobile staircase on wheels, which can be moved around the apartment to access the upper areas of the space. The mezzanine was specially designed for sleeping, with a double bed and two lamps that are wall-mounted to save floor space. The bathroom is accessed through yellow-framed doors beside the living area.
Access to the patio is through a single pivoting glass door by the living room. When opened, it extends the living area to the outside, making it a great space for the couple's dog and cat. The designers also added planter boxes around the interior of the patio to bring a bit of green into the apartment.
Buenos Aires, like many cities in the world, has seen the effects of pursuit of profit in residential redevelopment.
Here in Buenos Aires, many real estate developments generate oversupply with the sole purposes of profit. This creates tiny spaces without ventilation, fully integrated with the seating, among other issues that degrades the neighbourhoods and therefore the city. We think it is important to update and use existing spaces to take advantage of them and avoid demolishing and generating new buildings.
Alvarez & Aparicio
Images by NeverTooSmall
