Tiny Houses

Sliding wall and hidden bed transform small New York apartment

Sliding wall and hidden bed transform small New York apartment
MKCA's 5:1 Apartment uses a motorized wall to switch between two different functional spaces (Photo: Alan Tansey)
MKCA's 5:1 Apartment uses a motorized wall to switch between two different functional spaces (Photo: Alan Tansey)
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MKCA's 5:1 Apartment uses a motorized wall to switch between two different functional spaces (Photo: Alan Tansey)
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MKCA's 5:1 Apartment uses a motorized wall to switch between two different functional spaces (Photo: Alan Tansey)
The 5:1 Apartment has is white and bright, giving a sense of spaciousness (Photo: Alan Tansey)
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The 5:1 Apartment has is white and bright, giving a sense of spaciousness (Photo: Alan Tansey)
During the day, the sofa faces a TV wall unit in the 5:1 Apartment (Photo: Alan Tansey)
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During the day, the sofa faces a TV wall unit in the 5:1 Apartment (Photo: Alan Tansey)
Sliding doors reveal and hide storage space in the 5:1 Apartment (Photo: Alan Tansey)
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Sliding doors reveal and hide storage space in the 5:1 Apartment (Photo: Alan Tansey)
The motorized wall unit in the 5:1 Apartment slides out to reveal a second space (Photo: Alan Tansey)
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The motorized wall unit in the 5:1 Apartment slides out to reveal a second space (Photo: Alan Tansey)
Once the motorized wall unit in the 5:1 Apartment has slid out, a bed can fold out from the previously hidden wall (Photo: Alan Tansey)
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Once the motorized wall unit in the 5:1 Apartment has slid out, a bed can fold out from the previously hidden wall (Photo: Alan Tansey)
A space for working is also featured in the 5:1 Apartment (Photo: Alan Tansey)
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A space for working is also featured in the 5:1 Apartment (Photo: Alan Tansey)
When the motorized wall unit in the 5:1 Apartment is slid out, more storage space is revealed (Photo: Alan Tansey)
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When the motorized wall unit in the 5:1 Apartment is slid out, more storage space is revealed (Photo: Alan Tansey)
When the bed in the 5:1 Apartment folds out, bedside storage is revealed too (Photo: Alan Tansey)
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When the bed in the 5:1 Apartment folds out, bedside storage is revealed too (Photo: Alan Tansey)
The work space in the 5:1 Apartment is built into a wall space (Photo: Alan Tansey)
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The work space in the 5:1 Apartment is built into a wall space (Photo: Alan Tansey)
The bathroom in the 5:1 Apartment is accessed via a space-saving sliding door (Photo: Alan Tansey)
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The bathroom in the 5:1 Apartment is accessed via a space-saving sliding door (Photo: Alan Tansey)
The existing kitchen was expanded for the 5:1 Apartment to create more working space (Photo: Alan Tansey)
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The existing kitchen was expanded for the 5:1 Apartment to create more working space (Photo: Alan Tansey)
The bathroom and dining area in the 5:1 Apartment (Photo: Alan Tansey)
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The bathroom and dining area in the 5:1 Apartment (Photo: Alan Tansey)
The dining area and dressing space in the 5:1 Apartment (Photo: Alan Tansey)
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The dining area and dressing space in the 5:1 Apartment (Photo: Alan Tansey)
The dining area and shelving in the 5:1 Apartment (Photo: Alan Tansey)
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The dining area and shelving in the 5:1 Apartment (Photo: Alan Tansey)
The kitchen in the 5:1 Apartment (Photo: Alan Tansey)
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The kitchen in the 5:1 Apartment (Photo: Alan Tansey)
A diagram of the 5:1 Apartment and how the sliding wall alters the space
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A diagram of the 5:1 Apartment and how the sliding wall alters the space
View gallery - 17 images

As cities are become ever more populated, living spaces are getting smaller and we need to find clever ways to make the most of the space we have. The 5:1 Apartment in New York is one such small space. It uses a sliding wall to transform itself from daytime to nighttime functionality.

We've seen the space-saving sliding wall concept used elsewhere a number of times recently, including in Madrid's All I Own House and in Kinematix's reconfigurable office space in Porto, Portugal. In the 5:1 Apartment, it allows living/working and sleeping spaces to fit comfortably into 390 sq ft (36 sq m).

Designed by micro-living architects MKCA, the apartment is situated in a 1920s co-op building in Manhattan, and has been comprehensively remodeled. The limited space is made to feel as big as possible with a minimalist layout, a white paint job and white units. Bright LED lights, which help with a sense of spaciousness, are also installed.

It is the annexed section of the apartment doubling as both the living/work area and bedroom that's the highlight, though. During the day, a couch sits at one side of the space facing a TV wall unit. Shelving, storage and a workspace run along the third wall, all of which can be revealed or hidden with sliding doors.

Once the motorized wall unit in the 5:1 Apartment has slid out, a bed can fold out from the previously hidden wall (Photo: Alan Tansey)
Once the motorized wall unit in the 5:1 Apartment has slid out, a bed can fold out from the previously hidden wall (Photo: Alan Tansey)

At nighttime, the TV wall unit slides over to the couch at the other side of the room. Behind it a bed folds out from the wall, revealing more storage (this time for clothing) along the third wall. Alternatively, the bed can be left stowed to create a dressing area. In this way, two spaces that are typically used at different times within a home are squeezed into one space.

The sliding wall unit is motorized and so does not require manual effort to be moved. It also contains all of the cables, audiovisual and networking components of the apartment, as well as additional storage and display space.

The apartment was completed two weeks ago.

Source: MKCA

View gallery - 17 images
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