Title: Software Engineer Turns Tiny London Apartment into Multi-Functional Space
When Helen Zhou began looking for an apartment to buy in London, she already had a vision of living small. The 33-year-old software engineer was inspired by minimal living and environmental sustainability, which led her to purchase a 312-square-foot studio apartment for 328,000 British pounds (about $420,000) in November 2020.
Despite its small size, Ms. Zhou saw the potential for her new home to be more than just a place to sleep. After living in the space for a year without making any changes, she enlisted the help of architects Sara L’Espérance and Michael Putman from the firm Suprblk to transform the apartment into a multi-functional living space.
The architects worked closely with Ms. Zhou to design custom cabinetry that could be reconfigured to create different areas within the small apartment. The innovative design included a full-size bed with integrated storage, a slide-out sofa that doubled as seating and a bed for guests, a fold-out table for dining and games, and a wall-mounted desk for working from home.
Using a green wood-fiber material called Valchromat, the custom cabinetry was prefabricated off-site and installed quickly, allowing Ms. Zhou to be out of the apartment for only a short time. The entire renovation cost less than 25,000 British pounds (or $32,000) and the compact design even won an award.
Now, Ms. Zhou is thrilled with her transformed living space, which exceeds her expectations of what can be achieved in a small apartment. She expressed, “I thought I would have to make some sacrifices, but all the things I really wanted were incorporated in the design. It’s a stunning place to live.”
The story of Helen Zhou’s small apartment transformation serves as a testament to the possibilities of living large in a compact space, showcasing the creativity and innovation that can turn a tiny apartment into a functional and beautiful home.
