Dutch architects have designed a fully functional living space of just 6.89 square metres, complete with a sauna, showcasing innovative solutions for compact urban living in one of Europe’s most densely populated countries.
The tiny dwelling, created by STAR strategies+architecture and BOARD in Rotterdam, draws inspiration from Le Corbusier’s 1951 Cabanon on the French Riviera, while pushing the boundaries of minimal living even further.
Located atop a 1950s residential complex, the space was purchased for €11,000 and transformed from a storage unit into what the architects describe as an experimental guest house.
The interior dimensions measure 3 metres in height, 1.97 metres in width, and 3.6 metres in length, featuring a 6-square-metre window overlooking Rotterdam’s city centre.
“This isn’t meant to be a template for future housing,” explains Danae Zachariaki on behalf of the architects. “Rather, it demonstrates how to maximise space potential without necessarily advocating for smaller living spaces as the sole solution to affordable housing.”
The design incorporates four distinct areas – bathroom, kitchen, living room, and bedroom – with heights tailored to specific functions.
The bathroom requires 2.13 metres for showering, while the bedroom needs just 1.14 metres of height.
The living room maintains a generous 3-metre ceiling height, and the compact kitchen accommodates essential cooking facilities.
The project emerged following STAR’s involvement in “Co-Residence”, a research project for Atelier International du Grand Paris, and ran parallel to their work on the Ilot-3H development in Paris, which features 288 experimental apartments.
The architects used readily available materials and fixtures, with design choices influenced by market availability and cost considerations.
The spa area features 1980s Chinese black marble, while the shower showcases blue mosaic tiles, demonstrating how budget constraints led to creative material selections.
(photos from Ossip van Duivenbode)