5 Floor Plans That Won't Work in Russia

While many owners of standard apartments complain about inconvenient layouts and modest sizes, architects around the world are not standing still and offering unconventional solutions for residential complexes. But are they as ergonomic and successful as they appear? We share the most interesting findings.

Balconies the Size of Rooms

Location: Spain, Las Palmas

Building: Inakasa Building

What's the Twist: while the whole world thinks a balcony is an outward architectural element of a building, Spaniards build a residential house where the balcony or loggia is an "embedded" room for relaxation and meditation. But it seems to be the only source of light in the apartment besides tiny windows.

Apartment Layout, Inakasa Building
Facade of Inakasa Building

Apartment with Square and Round Rooms

Location: Japan, Tokyo

Building: Reversible-destiny Lofts Mitaka, 2005

What's the Twist: the building consists of colorful blocks, and square and round rooms in the apartment are built around an axis. Uneven floors are not a mistake, but an intentional design by the architect. The same applies to irregular walls and switches and outlets in unexpected places. Some rooms can only be entered by bending and moving sideways: it's definitely not boring.

Layout
Interior of Apartment, Reversible-destiny Lofts Mitaka
Interior of Apartment, Reversible-destiny Lofts Mitaka
Interior of Apartment, Reversible-destiny Lofts Mitaka
Facade of Reversible-destiny Lofts Mitaka

Room-shaped Trapezoids

Location: Switzerland, Toeffen

Building: Mehrfamilienhaus

What's the Twist: if you're worried that your apartment lacks straight angles, move to this house in Switzerland designed by Covas Hunkeler Wyss. All rooms here are trapezoidal in shape, with a bathroom in the center and living rooms on either side. Add narrow corridors and questionable ergonomics — perhaps our typical "panel" apartments aren't so bad after all?

Building Facade, Switzerland

Transformer Apartment

Location: France, Bordeaux

Building: Carré Lumière

What's the Twist: the apartments represent a new format of "flexible" living space. The presence and placement of windows can be changed according to the season (thus providing protection from cold or natural ventilation).

Additionally, a winter garden can be transformed into a child's bedroom, and when the child moves out, the space can be returned to its original form. An interesting idea but definitely one for connoisseurs.

Apartment Layout (Summer and Winter Variants), Carré Lumière
Carré Lumière
Carré Lumière
Building Facade, Carré Lumière

Apartment with Uneven Floors

Location: Austria, Vienna

Building: Miss Sargfabrik

What's the Twist: every apartment in this complex has a different layout. Plus, there are no completely flat surfaces: residents encounter sloped floors, walls and ceilings. Vertical movement is provided by two lifts, while horizontal access is through five open balcony-galleries that run the length of the building. Anyone walking along such a balcony can see what's happening in the apartments — long live privacy.

Building Section, Miss Sargfabrik
Miss Sargfabrik
Miss Sargfabrik
Building Facade, Miss Sargfabrik

Also Read:

• Floor Plans to Avoid
  
• How to Choose a Small Apartment: Layouts + Tips
  
• How to Select an Apartment with Flexible Layout?