Dealing with small Spaces - a Video

[peter halle]

In my surfing the internet I found a video that might offer some ideas that could be adapted in many ways for our members all over the world and might even spur some workshop ideas.  The video is about people who have chosen to live in small spaces all over the world and how they have had to adapt - especially furniture wise.  There are I think some cool built in ideas.  I liked some from all over the video but around the 43-45 minute mark was one of my favorites.  I am also posting this because I think that there could be some business opportunities out there especially for those members who live in heavily populated areas.  The documentary video is over 80 minutes long, just so you know.

Hope that someone gets some ideas out of this.



Peter

 

[jonathan-m]

Moral of the story, nothing beats space A lack thereof always means compromising. I should know because my shop is only 20m2.
Anyway, some nice ideas in that video though. Thanks for posting!

 

[NuggyBuggy]

Interesting video, but the one thing that jumped out me - I don't think any of the people documented had children.  These kinds of dwellings are less appealing for people with kids, and I found it revealing that most of her subjects were men, and more than a few, I would wager, were gay.  This is not a flame, but an observation made after being educated in gaydar by many gay friends.

I cannot imagine having two rambunctious boys, like I do, running around living in a 90-square foot apartment.  I know that somewhere in the world there are people doing so, but I imagine a whole spectrum of things about those lives are different too.

I found it disappointing that she didn't tackle the obvious subjects - given that several of the subjects explicitly drew inspiration from the Japanese, there really should have been an exploration as to how those were problems were solved there - because, as her first guest indicates, this isn't a fad, but a problem that was solved long ago.  My sister worked in Hong Kong for several years and her apartment was at least as small as many of the ones detailed in the video.

Finally, I was also really bummed when they were in Manhattan and she didn't visit Resource Furniture.  The videos are great but seeing in person is completely different.  That place is amazing and inspiring.  They could charge admission.

 

[GhostFist]

i think the video showcases extreme examples of tiny spaces. Single or couples dwellings. Certainly the model can be scaled for a small family. I don't get what anyone's sexual orientation would have to do with anything.
Would have loved to have seen  stuff on Japan, who have been utilizing small space, multi purpose dwellings for centuries. Inspiring video none the less

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

Some interesting solutions to living space limitations. I can relate. Thanks for posting.

 

[peter halle]

Some interesting solutions to living space limitations. I can relate. Thanks for posting.

P.S.  When I posted this it was because of posts based on your location, your situation, your business, your possible opportunities as well as what I have read here from European members.  [big grin]  I'm not spouting this to be the way of the world, but rather that some of the concepts and things shown could be adapted for even a small child's bedroom in a large house.

For you I would wonder if there was a business opportunity to produce modular built-ins that have the kitchen stuff and equipment installed for micro spaces in NY.

Peter

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

Peter,
For the sake of others... as I emailed you, I think that this is a brilliant idea! Thanks, for the consideration. It's much appreciated. Jim

 

[NuggyBuggy]

Peter,
For the sake of others... as I emailed you, I think that this is a brilliant idea! Thanks, for the consideration. It's much appreciated. Jim

NYC, have you visited Resource Furniture ? If so, is that not the most inspiring place ever ? Those guys have it all worked out, in spades.  My 7 year old wanted to start saving his allowance to buy a $10000 folding bed/shelving unit - which was totally worth it.  At every turn his jaw and his 6-y old brother's jaw  were dropping.  They still view that store as a highlight of their trips to NYC.  Their stuff is brilliant.

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

Peter,
For the sake of others... as I emailed you, I think that this is a brilliant idea! Thanks, for the consideration. It's much appreciated. Jim

NYC, have you visited Resource Furniture ? If so, is that not the most inspiring place ever ? Those guys have it all worked out, in spades.  My 7 year old wanted to start saving his allowance to buy a $10000 folding bed/shelving unit - which was totally worth it.  At every turn his jaw and his 6-y old brother's jaw  were dropping.  They still view that store as a highlight of their trips to NYC.  Their stuff is brilliant.

Yes, NG, I've been a fan of their Goliath table, since it first came out...almost bought one for our apartment.  I could probably have a business just installing murphy beds in Manhattan.  After I built ours, I had two friends who asked me to build beds for them.  Unless I live in a big house again, I think that I will always want a murphy bed. Ours, literally takes a few seconds to have ready and the bed weighs +300 lbs... It's like adding another bedroom.

 

[Paul G]

Peter, thanks for sharing this, while I don't see myself living in a 100 sq ft home, these concepts can help us make the most of our larger spaces.