This 309-Square-Foot Micro Apartment Has A Home Theater, Full Kitchen, And Even A Guest Bedroom

Hong Kong-based architects LAAB have just completed an incredible micro apartment that maximizes every inch of this 309 sq ft (28.7 sq m) flat in Hong Kong’s Central district.

The clients had a long wish list: a full kitchen, bathtub, home cinema, gym, storage—and cat-friendly features for their three furry roommates. After 40 iterations, LAAB came up with a functional and elegant solution.

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Hong Kong is one of the world’s most expensive cities, costing an average square foot of about US$1,416 [source]. The clients, Andy Knight and Michelle Tennant decided to purchase a flat with about 90 more square feet or completely redesign and renovate this 309-square foot apartment in the location they loved.

To realize their ambitious plans, the team at LAAB had to think beyond static spaces. They began considering time as a factor, eventually designing the area around a “Form Follows Time” philosophy, which means that spaces open and close depending on the purposes needed at that particular time.

The “Form Follows Time” in the bathtub area of the apartment best demonstrates philosophy. This one space can take the following forms:

1. The traditional bathroom with a bathtub.
2. Separate bathtub so that a guest can shower while the host brushes teeth or vice versa
3. 2nd tier seating creating a two-tiered home cinema or seating for large groups of friends
4. Guest bedroom for short-stay guests

The micro-apartment was designed not only for Michelle and Andy but also for their three cats, Banoffee, Dumpling, and Tuxedo. Cat areas include a catwalk around the ceiling, a cat ladder, a litter box hidden beneath the bathroom sink, cat food trays hidden within the kitchen cabinets, and a hidden den for them to relax in.

Materials, details, and mechanical systems were all strategically designed to keep the spaces dry, cleanable, cat-friendly, and free of undesirable smells. For example, the cat toilet has a ventilation system that pulls smells out of the building. [source]

Several app-controlled intelligent home technologies, primarily Philips Hue bulbs and the August smart lock, have also been implemented. The lights can slowly brighten the room in the morning, giving the couple a gentle wake-up, while the door lock means they can enter effortlessly or send electronic keys to friends to help them look after their cats. [source]