Part 1 – Hahn Residence, Massachusetts

Posted on: October 21st, 2009 | 23 Comments

Part 1 – Hahn Residence, Massachusetts (PDF)
Part 1 – Hahn Residence, Massachusetts (JPEG)
Part 1 – Hahn Residence, Massachusetts (Demo)
Part 1 – Hahn Residence, Massachusetts (Full Symbol Library)

  • MichaelG

    John, how high is the roof? Is there the potential for something like a loft bed or study area?

  • Steve

    Given the blank slate, I’ve returned to the brief and profile for more requirements and limitations! I only see what John has already told us — open studio, bigger bathroom, more closets, and office space within the given shell. Her top important spaces as living, kitchen, and bathroom, in that order. It was built as a condo in 1945, so I’m assuming 8′ ceilings.

    Her profile expresses some personality — she wants a “freer, happier, lighter” studio than she has now. In terms of interests, she writes “everything!” Perhaps that provides a little more spirit if not direction for this design …

  • BradW

    [img]shdp351.jpg[/img]

    I added walls to define a large shower and private water closet. Otherwise, the space is filled with cabinetry. The center section provides closets, a murphy bed, a small pantry and fridge. The lower section contains the entry closet, washer and dryer, kitchen cabinets, sink, stove and wall unit.

    Very affordable, flexible and open.

  • Louis Pereira

    [img]091021a.jpg[/img][img]091021b.jpg[/img][img]091021c.jpg[/img]

    Hoping this is in keeping with Lucinda’s free spirit!…It was a fun exercise.

    I had to draw on many examples of well designed small spaces but found the hidden bed concept by Jonas Wagell to be most suited for this apt. as well as the client’s brief.

  • Louis Pereira

    [img]091021d.jpg[/img][img]091021e.jpg[/img][img]091021f.jpg[/img]

    …And in the ‘what if’ category…(just for fun)

  • BradW

    Louis, I like the laundry and storage and the tub/shower room. Two sinks in the bathroom might be one too many and the kitchen is proportionately too dominate in the remaining space. The personal closst and bed are too small. The outside fireplace is a nice idea – many options are available which will sit on a table.

  • BradW

    Louis, my previous comment applies to your first submission…

  • Louis Pereira

    Brad – One sink could be replaced with more storage/linen. The wall bed can be switched from a single to double or even queen if flipped so that it folds out to towards the kitchen, and without the need to move any furniture around – similar to your plan.

  • BradW

    Louis, personally I love the Valetin apartment by ECD. Thanks for the inspiration. Your adaptation for the Hahn residence is fun idea but probably won’t work here. Besides the obvious elevation changes, the closet within the cube is impractical.

  • BradW

    I think the great thing about small spaces is they force you think very creatively. By showing us the Valentin apartment and adapting it to the Hahn residence, Louis has captured that out-of-the-box (in-the-box?) spirit that is required to do these spaces well.

  • James Scott

    Hey Team Slow Home,

    How much headroom would you need if the bed were elevated, assuming the ceiling was 8 feet or so?

    Thanks.

  • Louis Pereira

    [img]091021aa.jpg[/img]

    Brad – Here’s a revision to address your comments on the first plan…

  • Louis Pereira

    James – I trust your question in this regard, but i would say in order to achieve something similar to the Valentin apt., you would need at least 12′ ceiling heights.

  • Terri

    [img]hahnloft.jpg[/img]

    Now for something completely ordinary…Walls around bathroom, open wall above closet between living space and bedroom. Shelving above desk backing on to wall oven/range hood all enclosed by millwork. And the piece de la resistance…you guessed it…banquette dining. :D

  • James Scott

    Louis – When a kid my brother and I had bunk/loft style beds of a sort, where the dresser and storage and of course a real cool fort was under the bed. So that left about 3′ or so on top for the mattress.

    I kind of see a platform where maybe there is enough space underneath for storage, laundry, who knows.

    Unfortunately I couldn’t find a decent enough image, I’m so jealous of the archives you folks seem to be able to tap into.

  • MichaelG

    [img]1_2008031413p5.jpg[/img]

    Louis, the Valentin apt was one of those I had in mind when I asked about the ceiling heights. Nice.
    Referring to your plan, does a single need such a large laundry?? I posted this image a little while back. In a small space for a single person, the whole block for laundry/storage can be re-appropriated into the living room, and the second sink can be replaced by a washer/dryer. Just a thought.
    I hope I get time to have a go at this one, small spaces are a great opportunity to get really creative, especially with high ceilings!

  • Leo

    [img]2_slowhome.jpg[/img]

    Here’s my effort. I can’t say I like the kitchen much, but I suppose it would work. The entrance has a bench, and the rest of the wall is millwork and desk.

  • Leo

    Oops. Forget to mention that the bed is a murphy.

  • MichaelG

    [img]countryhome.com3003.jpg[/img]

    Heres a banquet dining image for you Terri. I think this would really work well in your design, with a little modification. Assuming that the windows aren’t floor to ceiling…

  • MichaelG

    [img]shdp35mg.jpg[/img][img]shdp35mg2.jpg[/img]

    Here are two variations of the same basic idea.
    One with a murphy bed, the other with a loft bed.

    In the murphy bed design, the east wall is all built in, floor to ceiling cabinetry/storage, to the murphy bed, to the kitchen, where I imagine a little cut-out, like a window, for the cook top, sink and counter space.

    The murphy bed opens across from the little hidaway study. With a big enough monitor (30″ apple cinema display!!), she can watch a movie in bed.

    In the loft design, the east wall is still all built ins, but the kitchen /dining area starts earlier, and towards the end turns into shelving. Tight stairs up to the loft over the bathroom/study/closet block.

    In both, The entry opens right up into the loft, no furniture or millwork or walls to define the entry space, just a change of flooring to separate the entrance and private closet/bathroom areas from the living areas. Guests should be impressed by the simple, open space, and hopefully enough light coming in from the north facing windows and/or a great view.

    The bathroom is simple, the shower can be a bath if desired. Washer/dryer as per my previous image. The study is compact, close the doors and she can hide the mess when visitors come over, if her desk is as organizationally challenged as mine…

  • Terri

    MichaelG,

    Nice homey bench seating you found. I was imagining something more sleek facing the window.

    Your plan offers the widest entry of any posted today. I like that element, and after reading the client profile (guess I shoulda done that before planning!) I see that’s what she wants.

    Re: her list of requirements, I noticed that on page one it says she needs a “study” space and then on page 2 she says she needs “office” space, which are two quite different spaces. You and I have offered study space, whereas other plans by Brad, Louis and Leo offer more of an office. I wonder which way John goes with his plan.

  • Steve

    [img]sh091021.bmp[/img]

    While I like many of the plans offered here, my student years living in studio apartments suggest that the client will not want to store her bed in a wall every morning. So I offer a real bedroom (like Terri) and office space, both open to the living area and light.

    BTW, in my experience, this is a HUGE studio. By Vancouver condo standards, we should be able to fit 2 full bedrooms in this square footage!

    Thanks, everyone, for the great ideas!

  • Janice

    [img]loft.bmp[/img]

    Everything is a little tight but still open and quite functional. It’s nice having the bedroom and living room close to the windows. The loveseat separates the bedroom and living room spaces. The desk area is accommodated in this open concept as well as a large bathroom and closets. The bathing area is separated from the powder room a little. There wasn’t room for a dining table with the desk area but most people enjoy eating and entertaining at a kitchen bar anyway. Then there is also the table and sofa on the terrace. It was a fun project.