Ambitious developers across the country are billing their micro-apartment projects as an end to the housing crisis.
The Government standard for new homes states one-bed flats must be a minimum of 37 square metres but merchants can get round these rules by converting older properties.
This four-storey Victorian terrace in West Hampstead is the latest to receive the micro-apartment treatment, with its rooms converted into 14 separate luxurious studio apartments.
Compact: This four-storey Victorian terrace in West Hampstead has seen its rooms converted into 14 separate luxurious studio apartments
Photographs show how each apartment has been squeezed into small space with high-specification touches including a marble bathroom and built-in wooden storage
Design: Government standards say new one-bedroom homes must be 37 square feet but developers can get round this by converting older properties
These micro-spaces- designed by Bicbloc – are 18 square metres, smaller than the average Travelodge hotel room (30 square metres).
It cost developers £600,000 to implement but the homeowner stand to rake in as much as £5.19million if they manage to sell each property for the average price of a studio flat in the upmarket London suburb.
Photographs show how each apartment has been squeezed into small space with high-specification touches including a marble bathroom and built-in wooden storage.
There is also a miniature kitchen which compromises of a microwave, wash sink and working hob beneath a spotlight.
Named ’18 SQM Micro-Apartments’, designer Laura Encinas said: ‘The client wished to convert the property into a new co-living concept to cater to the strong rental demand in London and changing living habits.’
High specification: The porcelain-tiled bathrooms come complete with a walk-in shower, square sink and stainless steel finishing
The space has been broken down into wood veneered panels which separate the sleeping area from the bathroom and kitchen area
She said: ‘To maximise space in each apartment and taking into consideration a very limited budget, Bicbloc decided to develop a compact and modular design that would be easily adapted in each apartment.
‘The design consists of a group of volumes intersecting with each other. These volumes incorporate all the functions: bed, kitchen, bathroom and lots of storage.
‘The double bed is reached by a set of stairs which also allocate a pull-out table for dinning or work-desk use. A kitchen with fridge, hob, oven-microwave and shelves is hidden behind a pair of foldable doors.
‘The occupants benefit from a large amount of storage underneath the bed, side cupboard and over-head units.
‘A porcelain-tiled bathroom with walk-in shower sits next to these main volumes. Every volume has been crafted from wood veneered panels in smoked walnut or black oak.
‘The uniformity of the volumes in wood is complemented with a feature wall clad in a contemporary design wall-paper evoking all together a high-quality, warm, comfortable and uncluttered space.
‘The property also offers single studio apartment options, shared social spaces and a large back garden.’
Floor plan: Designer Laura Encinas said: ‘To maximise space in each apartment and taking into consideration a very limited budget, Bicbloc decided to develop a compact and modular design that would be easily adapted in each apartment’
The ë18 SQM Micro-Apartmentsí were designed Laura Encinas of architecture and design practice Bicbloc