This is the “original” Hamster Box, the first apartment I used to explain the “fake loggias”. These are fake balconies made from creating a glass enclosure behind a facade. I added my five cents on the matter here. Original layout: • Completed: 2001 Surface: 126m² External storage: 9m² • The layout of this apartment is limited by […]
Sometimes, there is no other way. Sometimes, the layout just plays with your nerves. So then, it gets down to the fine details to help with the proper functioning of a residence. Original layout: • Completed: 2004 Surface: 110m² Loggia: 5m² External storage: 6m² • I have to admit that the load-bearring wall that cuts this […]
Rethinking and reorganizing a home does not always have to imply changing everything. Sometimes is the little things, a few small changes that make all the difference. Original layout: • Completed: 2010 Surface: 70m² Loggia: 9m² External storage: 5m² • This is actually a not so small apartment. At 70m², it has plenty of space to […]
This is an apartment that was sent to me. It is not the craziest I have seen. It actually is a reasonable one. However, there are a few things worth mentioning. Note: The floor plans provided by the estate agent aren’t fully correct. Which is rather unfortunate and quite common. I’m often forced to fully […]
Generally there are two types of residences. The ones that have as a point of distribution the hallway/s and as a result, each main room is accessed only from it/them. And the ones where the living rooms and/or other rooms are used as distribution points. The most extreme version is a “wagon” type house where […]
I grew up in a house. A beautiful little brick construction built in the 30’s. My bedroom was almost a cube with a floor surface of about 9.5m² and a height of 3.3m. Sounds small, right? What if I tell you that the living room was 16m²? Does it sound better? Yes, because they are […]
And the hamster box strikes again! Original layout: • Completed: 2009 Surface: 90m² • The issue with these spaces is not that they have enclosed the balcony/loggia with a set of interior glass walls, but that it was not a balcony/loggia to begin with. The space was not designed as an exterior space (which later got enclosed) […]
And sometimes I just can’t help it! I have to play with the layout. Original Layout: • Completed: 2004 Surface: 130m² Balcony: 11m² • So, let’s see! First floor: living space, kitchen, a courtyard for light and a bedroom. Second floor: Two bedrooms and a bathroom. Nothing out of the ordinary here. But there’s a few details […]
When it comes to residential housing, one would say that Dutch people aren’t that daring. Most of their houses are built in a similar fashion, and the market seems to be responding to the demand of safe, dull spaces. But are they really the ones that aren’t daring or are they just a side effect […]
I used to find this rather confusing, however by now I find rather fascinating how in a country that complains intensively about lack of space, 143m² can be so ineffectively used. To give you an idea, 143m² can easily be used to house one gigantic apartment, two decent sized apartments or a large apartment and […]