35 m² Apartment in Melbourne - Minimalism and Functionality by Tsai Design
Located in a 1970s building in Melbourne, Australia, this small two-bedroom apartment measuring just 35 m² was designed by architect Jack Chen from Tsai Design studio for personal use. The compact space is fully equipped for comfortable living and challenges modern consumer lifestyles filled with excess.
In its original state, the apartment had an awkward layout and lacked a functional kitchen and outdoor space. The solution was layering, as the key to designing small spaces lies in the ability to combine two different functions in the same area at different times. This type of functionality requires not only thoughtful and elegant design solutions but also expert craftsmanship in joinery details, enabling seamless transitions between two uses.
Two innovative solutions introduced by the Tsai Design team are a retractable panel with a dining table and a foldable work desk, which easily disappear when not in use. Multi-functional storage systems provide ample storage space in each room.
Visually, the apartment is divided into two zones: a service zone with dominant wooden finishes and a relaxation zone in white. The four-meter-long kitchen, equipped with a three-meter bench and numerous hidden storage spaces, is completely enclosed in wood—from joinery and wall panels to floor and ceiling—making it feel like a separate space from the fully white living area.
The bathroom is separated from the kitchen by a glass partition, which brings natural daylight into the kitchen, borrowed from the bathroom. Through this internal window, there is a direct view of the moss-covered bathroom wall with various plants, compensating for the lack of outdoor space. For privacy, the glazing becomes opaque with the press of a button.
The living room and adjacent bedroom, which can be further separated by another sliding panel, are finished in white, with a silver-blue traditional Japanese carpet selected for the floor, adding a soft, comforting atmosphere to the space.
