A beautiful space, typical for narrow constructions. And though 59m² might sound small, for a one bedroom apartment is quite generous.

Original layout:
•  Completed: 1940
Surface: 59m²

• The living room is spacious. The limited window surface forces the kitchen in the darker corner. That and most likely the existing pipes placement.
• While I truly dislike the access to the bathroom through the bedroom, I deeply appreciate its two windows.
• It has a nice and generous entry hallway with easy access to the toilet. True, not so close when coming from the bedroom, but hey, it is an old construction.  

New layout:
• I found the shape of the kitchen wasteful and limiting. Positioning a bar on its  left side (towards the room) means that you are either in the living room or in the kitchen. Is not easy to communicate with a space when you’re with your back at it. Changing the organisation on the long axis of the room (instead of on the short one) allows a much easier communication between the spaces and has the added bonus of making the space feel larger.
• Despite the fact that it is only a one bedroom apartment, so the bathroom does not serve multiple rooms, I still find going through the main bedroom in order to access it a major issue. Even with two residents and there still a large variety of situations when is a major imposition. Just imagine: different schedules, one person being sick, guests while one person needs time alone/is sick/is asleep. The addition of the walking wardrobe does not fully enclose the bedroom (though that is a possibility), it does however allow it a higher degree of privacy.
• Last but not the least, the desk. In order to get the most efficient use of the space, the desk would face the wall. That would unfortunately mean that the person using the desk would be facing the wall and have its back towards the door and the majority of the space. Though technically correct, human beings don’t like the feeling of insecurity that comes from not being able to asses the situation. If you live alone, that might not be an issue, however when multiple residents are involved things differ. People feel safer, even if they don’t consciously realize that, when they can see the entire room and especially the door. Thus the choice for the desk.

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