NEVER TOO SMALL Flexible Milanese Micro Apartment - 30sqm/340sqft

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Once a cramped apartment with an irregular form, the 30sqm TAAAC! was completely transformed by ATOMAA into an adaptable, spacious and playful space. By shifting the kitchen and bathroom to the perimeter and introducing a movable wall, they allow the user to adapt and open up the space depending on their needs. Allowing double sided access and space for a study area, walk in closet, as well as a full size kitchen.
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#smallapartment #architecture #interiordesign
Project Name: TAAAC Apartment
Architect: atomaa.eu/
Website www.nevertoosm...
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Facebook / nvtsmall
Produced by newmac.co
Creator: Colin Chee
Director/Camera: Alessandro Carpentiero Photography
Producer: Lindsay Barnard
Editor: Colin Chee
Music: Sailor by Some Were At Sea
Arlist.io
In Video Credits:
Interview: Philip Kolevsohn
atomaa.eu/
Produced by: Newmac
www.newmac.co
Creator: Colin Chee
Producer: Lindsay Barnard
Director/Camera: Alessandro Carpentiero Photography
Editor: Colin Chee

[@mnightshade4108]

bruh this is like one of the really few houses with movable walls+foldable bed that is actually livable and visually pleasant

[@valeriegalchenko2360]

You know what else is visually pleasant? No Aesop hand wash in view this time. I was waiting for the architect to say: "As someone who aspires to the philosophy of “fewer but better things”, I justified to myself that it was worth to skip an Aesop hand wash this time and give a cactus a try"... But he didn't.

[@VC-mo5yg]

@@valeriegalchenko2360 too funny 😳😂..lol, here in Vancouver, Canada. Omg, is everyone obsessed with the Aesop hand cream and wash duo? All l have is the hand cream tube.....😜🤭

[@katbar6066]

The only thing I do not like much is the bathroom right next to the dining area.

[@daCubanaqt]

@@katbar6066 There is much choice in a place that small! I hope they put in a bathroom fan 😊

[@pauldeluca9468]

Agreed. Alot of the time these movable walls feel imposing.

[@AshTanya]

The finger grips on the cabinets are clever. I really like the yellow

[@matthewpierce3125]

🟨❤️

[@matthewpierce3125]

@@benisrood and the second favorite one is turquoise. And you?

[@shrimpgeisha]

Yellow is such a tricky color to get right. I tried it several times and got urine, traffic cone, and egg yolk variations of yellow, lol. I finally gave up and went with white.

[@jonathanleonard1152]

It is good that when the bathroom door is open there is no view of the toilet or bidet.

[@TriviRocks]

I would have chosen an opaque glass for the shower. It doesn't feel private enough!

[@TheRealBrook1968]

Terrific use of space. One change: instead of a separate bidet, place a hose sprayer next to the toilet and use the extra space to house the washing machine in the bathroom. This frees up storage in the kitchen for pots or groceries.

[@choraandfriends3476]

In italia non usiamo queste barbarie

[@aizellejickain]

i feel scared to put my food on that foldable table, i feel like it will slide because it's a lil bit slant downwards

[@ryanvenn7879]

I was thinking the same thing

[@saulgoodman980]

@Coni Glione you know your stuff man!

[@saulgoodman980]

@Coni Glione I wasn't being sarcastic. When I first watched the video I didn't notice much, but then after reading your comment watched again. Ahaa found those flaws (or I would say incomplete work). It really takes something to spot all that on a video, good job :)

[@jesse113553]

It’s the camera. Small space, wide lens was needed to film which caused distortion near the edges. At the end you can see it’s not that slanting when in the middle of the frame with less distortion

[@lalakuma9]

I'm more afraid of leaving my laptop on the table, forgetting about it, and crushing it against the other wall when I move the wall.

[@vtim1]

The concept and design is great. The layout and functionality of the sliding wall is well thought out. Unfortunately the joinery hasn’t been executed well. None of the cabinet doors seem to be flush and that fold down breakfast bar isn’t level.

[@brinicole2999]

Have I been watching too many of these or is that bathroom actually almost big?

[@hellieb85]

italy haha

[@robertburbulea8503]

Comparing to the other 20 videos I saw this night, yeah it's pretty decent

[@rosebatista8193]

Yes it is. But I would trade a bigger kitchen instead of a bigger bathroom.

[@nicorivera25]

@@rosebatista8193 No. i need my space in the bathroom to do the things I love.

[@ashleycarswell5429]

Dude, they have a bidet! Fancy

[@Oratual_]

I like it. But I wouldn't live there. I think there is enough space to have a bed and a desk that I don't have to unfold everytime I need to use them .

[@ag_p4007]

That's true, i personally think I would be so lazy to fold that bed and moving the wall everyday

[@CanuckJim]

My only concern would be whether the moveable wall makes rumbling noise in other apartments. "I hate the tenant in 302. Every night he goes to bed at 2am and shakes me awake with his $#&*(%$# moveable wall."

[@HUCERBH3947]

It is 5 seconds for god sake

[@lyverbird1973]

I was thinking exactly that! Doesn't matter how long the noise is, if it wakes you up every time or it's regular throughout the day, how annoying would that be!?

[@Void_Mother]

If it's well kept, then it shouldn't make much sound at all, like the sound a sliding door might make But we also aren't sure what floor it's on or anything like that

[@GadgetsGearCoffee]

@@Void_Mother pretty sure you would hear. I rarely hear neighbors in my building and it's very new, but whenever one of my neighbors open their shades I hear it. It doesn't wake me up but if I'm in my room, I think it's the next door neighbor, I hear it slide open. It's due to vibrations

[@please.dont.]

@@HUCERBH3947 oh, so you're *that* kind of a neighbor

[@Whigu]

I'm pretty sure that most of people would just leave that movable wall to "sleep" position and leave it there. Nice idea but I'm pretty sure that it wouldn't be moved so often.

[@honeykat1]

I live in a 23 square metre flat, and I have a murphy bed... and yes, I do leave it down almost all the time. But the great thing with a murphy bed is that when you DO want more space, or if you want things tidied away every day, you CAN close it and use the space in other ways, plus it is more comfortable than a sofa bed. I find it no more disturbing having it open every day than I would having a sofa bed open every day, or having a fixed bed placed in the space permanently. Just a viewpoint from someone who has one and lives in this way.

[@juno5301]

I don't think so, because you can't use the wardrobe in that position.

[@christinecannizzo6974]

Modern Murphy beds are so easy to use that it’s no trouble to fold them up and down. You don’t even really have to make the bed - you just fasten a couple of straps and the bed lifts with not much more than the touch of a finger. I believe the wall unit is fastened to the ceiling, so people below wouldn’t be too bothered by it - not sure about people above. If apartment builders would provide sufficient sound insulation, this wouldn’t be a problem, but of course, they never do. I understand cost is probably the key factor, but it would be better to have movement of that wall automated.

[@Rachel-if8eb]

@@juno5301 I thought the same thing watching this... I’m as lazy as they come but watching the video was thinking that it was smart of the designer to make the wardrobe inaccessible until the bed is put up... effectively forcing you to move the wall every morning

[@teamene9034]

I would close it whenever I have people visiting, and whenever I want to work without distractions!

[@DoggieB92]

A bidet in the bathroom: this clearly an Italian apartment

[@gus473]

With the recent toilet paper hoarding/shortages in the USA, it's possible bidets will become more common! Or the more modern Japanese wash-style toilets.....

[@VoidVerification]

That seems like such a waste of space. A German would have put a small bathtub there. Priorities...

[@Fahameho]

Replace the toilet and put a toilet with a built in bidet. then put a bathtub instead of the glass shower and bidet.

[@Francesco16699]

@@Fahameho 😶

[@Fabius998]

@@VoidVerification lavarsi il culo non è una questione di priorità ma di semplice igiene, eccheccazzo.

[@RickyMcSpanish]

This is the best one I've seen. When living in a small flat I would have loved the versatility of having a nice big bit of space to exercise in or even just when having party's it's small touch but makes a huge difference

[@nothumanlol]

true. Especially during a lockdown.

[@artifach]

I'm loving the finger grips for the cabinets, the pops of yellow in some places, those tiny series of rectangular holes on the wall for books, and the color of the wood complementing the lightness of the space!

[@artifach]

but I'm a bit scared about the Murphy bed and that dining space.....

[@lesbianlunatic2978]

For me, the bookshelves wouldn’t hold even a quarter of my books 😂

[@zijunli1497]

love the consistent pops of yellow all over the apartment, really brighten things up

[@simont390]

Movable wall seems a bit gimmicky! I can't see that "breakfast bar" ever being used for food given the angle it slopes at...

[@simonepagnotta5112]

I think it's supposed to be used for food, they simply built it badly.

[@hijonk9510]

Easily fixable, I think.

[@aero33888]

My breakfast is going to slide right off. D:

[@benwalker6530]

Moveable wall is a grand idea but I think there are better executions of the same idea that offer a little privacy

[@nofurtherwest3474]

cool man, let's kill the whole thing because we're too lazy to spend 30 minutes adjusting the breakfast bar table.

[@EVL-xj5vc]

The talented and eloquent designer speaks like a robot. I enjoy listening to him for some reason, kind of soothing…

[@SebastianMilc]

I like it cause it allows for standard living room / dining room furniture. Whoever moves in can easily customise this flat

[@john3Lee]

A superbly thought out design.... The colour harmony adds to the style.... Well done.

[@someofmythoughts]

Always look forward seeing every episode. These videos are so calming to me! I just love it x

[@EnglishMikey]

One of my favourite episodes. I love the moveable wall and the pops of bright yellow everywhere. Lovely bathroom and the yellow non-handles in the kitchen are such a great idea!

[@UnknownUser.ar1]

The bathroom is huuuge, I like it! I’m a minimalist and I don’t need much storage so a movable wall is clever but it’s not essential.

[@jennienightingale727]

personally, i find the sliding wall too robust for the apartment

[@joyfaithlove]

yeah it seems to take up more space

[@carolz5090]

I think it’s big to allow for storage on both sides. Stylistically I agree with your point.

[@user-xs3db6ox3q]

Rather than dividing the table space into the study & breakfast table, it might be better to cut open so it can be accessed from both sides AND it would create some breathing space, being able to look through the other side. Thoughts?

[@jennienightingale727]

@@carolz5090 understandable of course... it just really looks inconveniently heavy and the office seems too dark. maybe a platform bed with storage underneath? office space could be in the bigger window alcove. it looks like a decent work space

[@AfiKreative]

@@user-xs3db6ox3q Yup, thought about that as well. It'll work as a single table

[@ppogiyomdung]

Love the idea of movable wall ofcouse but more applause for the color combination, yellow and white!

[@jonathansimonmusic]

You know it’s a good day when never too small posts. I click on the thumbnail immediately every time

[@mariastathopoulos744]

The moveable wall is a brilliant idea, and the bathroom is upmarket. A lot of inspiration in a little apartment.

[@educesar26]

omg some people are really wild in the comments right? just because it doesnt fit your particular needs doesnt mean its not a well thought project. you can still criticise the project without insulting the architect or the channel bringing you this content. no project will ever please everyone so maybe focus on the good stuff? anyway, just my two cents, thank you Never Too Small for always bringing good quality FREE content :)

[@markusneumann146]

I did it, too. And now I think you are right.

[@carlvlaeminck2171]

Every nook is used. Very clever design. Don't really like the yellow accents but that is a personal opinion. I do love the bathroom.

[@dyutibasu4541]

I feel like this house would have been better without the movable wall. It didn't really add much. There could just have been a desk/worktop near the kitchen.

[@trekadouble757]

What I think the movable walls add is storage that is not just stuck in one place. Without that wall, you would have to add no only a desk, but also clothes storage. I don't see where to put it without the movable wall.

[@jamie_johns]

I agree. Could be a bed with storage space under it.

[@seoulsurfer2412]

I liked this design very much. Very detailed work on every part of the apartment.

[@frozenpixie8801]

I absolutely love this design. I especially like the white and yellow. It makes the space feel bright and cosy at the same time.

[@MikeYoungeasytravel]

Very well thought out, especially the movable wall/Murphy bed combination!

[@valeriegalchenko2360]

Other snarky remarks aside, at least they stopped refer to bed as to "main protagonist"

[@albachan7014]

The color scheme is beautiful!

[@bryanpwo3085]

I usually don't like foldable solutions in micro apartments, but I really like this one! I love how the living space is a traditional area apposed to another folding solution. In my opinion this is one of some very few foldable solutions I've seen that's been well executed. A lot of those solutions are often too designer centric, this one is a perfect mix between the designer's idea and the client still having the freedom to personalise it.

[@HughMiller98]

It's interesting to see a building built in the 1960s that doesn't look like it was built in the 1960s. No grey concrete or prefab windows, or uninspired entryways. Something that looks a lot older and is nicer on the eye

[@Vernon1]

Yes interesting, the entrance looks nice too 0:23 .

[@ave_rie]

I get the intention of several architects on this channel but even their bright minds cant really do much about: -kitchen AND ventilation -moving parts and usability (too much friction between setting up a space and starting a task = inefficient use of time) -tiny room ventilation -rooms as separate spaces -how people move -a person’s quality of life in a basically large cabinet/dawer They have great ideas but at some point, someone needs to tackle how much space does a person really need? what is the best layout/shape for it? What is the ideal minimum for a person to have a decent home to fully live in. I am so jealous of the different shapes/layout these apartments have. From where I am, even high end condominium buildings have pigeonhole units, buildings of sad rectangles.

[@blairwrelos1891]

Personally if I was the client, i'd design this like a korean officetel/ studio apartment. I'd shift the kitchen to the adjacent grey wall to the Murphy and movable wall and make the entrance full of cabinets for clothes,shoes and storage. Maybe use full size mirrors on cabinets towards the entrance just like how korean apartments' shoe cabinets have. I would also have an island with the kitchen which can multipurpose as dining table and add cabinets to the island as well for more storage. I would just use convertible sofa instead of that Murphy bed. Since it's an open floor plan i think an open kitchen is much more convenient. Also the living room is quite big so you can furnish the place however you want as and the wall where the put the round big mirror i'd use that space for shelf and desk space, maybe even a TV or space for projector. But again all clients would want have different needs so I understand

[@Carlos-yq9oe]

I find it weird how a lot of the architects, presented in Never Too Small, rather than creating an integrated space with open areas, such as korean studio apartments, decide to cram different sections of a bigger house in a smaller one by reducing it's size. So, instead of having one table for dinner, working and studying, with two or even three chairs, they decide to put three different tables because each one serves a function. This inability of compromising is the real devil here. The movable wall is clever and beautifuly done, but it exists only because of this.

[@blairwrelos1891]

@@Carlos-yq9oe i agree. I do think the movable wall is cool but I don't think it's necessary or it's providing any extra benefit except for the division as you explained. It feels like they added the whole movable wall just for the sake of renovation

[@cgurl]

@@Carlos-yq9oe becuase they are architects not interior designers. Architects mainly deal with the exterior whereas interior designers deal with the interior always AND think of the user experience. Ps interior design is NOT decorating.

[@michellebyrom6551]

One decent sized, extendable table makes sense. Wall of storage from entrance right alongwhere kitchen is saves a lot if space. Use this bathroom with gallley kitchen backing onto bathroom. Turn murphy bed 90° onto back wall. Add L shaped sofa bed to corner by windows. Instead of the moving wall a moveable room divider with higher open shelves above bottom cupboards gives space for books/display to separate sitting and sleeping areas. Folding the bed away and pushing room divider towards bed gives floor space when needed. Main table on wheels makes it easy to move around for desk/dining/kitchen prep. Sofabed means occasional guests are viable. Most activity then occurs near natural light.

[@johngavin1271]

But you weren't.

[@doris_s_atlantica]

YESS! great design, great ideas and excellent quality makes a never too small space I could live in. The bathroom is tops even having a bidet

[@ozancanca9740]

This house is the best symbiosis between space saving, aesthetic, functionality and comfort yet

[@ButacuPpucatuB]

Very clever design! I love it 🥰 This doesn’t feel small at all.

[@travelsouvenirs6027]

Love the design, color match & modernism

[@user975bg]

I loved the narration. Short simple sentences. One thought per sentence.

[@prajaktapujari4400]

Awesome and Very well done. Each corner has occupied by some storage in it. Especially I liked the idea of moving wall. That idea is really unique one.

[@CreateWithVerity]

Can't get enough of these videos! Why are they always so mesmerising?

[@philf4018]

I like the cabinet handles! But this is clearly designed by people who don't cook regulary. There is a reason why the previous builders put the kitchen next to a window. And no, an extractor hood does not help (a lot).

[@Jv_jvliette]

Yes, that's true, but i think the kitchen isn't for cooking smelly dishes, we can still cook and it's not really bad to have no extractor hood, i don't have one and the window is far away from the kitchen, and it's ok. I think it's more for people who eat a lot pastas and rice I'm sorry if you can't really understand, i'm ffrench and my english isn't really good

[@ancaas7945]

Well, from experience. I can tell you that a good ventilation system and a nice hood will do the trick.

[@ambercunningham5693]

Depends on the hood.

[@philf4018]

@@ambercunningham5693 ok, so which one do you recommend?

[@Taleneki]

@@Jv_jvliette I mean, the appartment is located in Milan. Italian cuisine uses lots of garlic, so I can already imagine how the smell will linger in the appartment.

[@homechoicehk]

Nice design❤️

[@Vernon1]

Thanks nevertoosmall for changing the floor plan colour so that it's easier on the eyes!

[@sandeshprabhu]

Always looking for inspiration from this channel❤ thanks for existing!

[@sarrah4696]

i love everything about this design....marvellous

[@glenicecrease5115]

Really beautiful. It really does use every small space. I love the grey and yellow.

[@SAnderson54]

kudos to this architect for this incredibly smart design!

[@canwejustnot]

Very lovely design! I like the warm accent colour and I really enjoy that the wall is movable and that the architect thought about people wanting to bring in their own furniture. I also like that the bed can be fully hidden by the wall. I don't want a visible bed when I'm not using it or when there are visitors. Very well done :) (The only thing is that the breakfast bar/table seems to have an obtuse angle, but that's an easy fix)

[@saidelba537]

The idea, the creativity, the colours. I'm speechless

[@flower-uw1hm]

Very clever design and use of space enabling alot of storage. The large floor area will anyone to do alot of sewing. If you do alot of sewing you need lots of floor space.

[@Gentleintense]

i lived in a 650sq apartment and it felt so tiny.... i had all that i needed but the design was not intuitive. amazing to see half that space feel so open!

[@ellenmitchell4678]

As someone living in a squishy 20 sqm apartment, I would love being able to create a specific office space for working from home, then move it and have a bigger space for having guests over for dinner. Brilliant!

[@potatokid548]

the colors chosen for this apartment are so lovely

[@charb3907]

Clever architectural design! Love mobility structures in a small area, creative genius. Of course, the functionality of this small space is exceptional, not lacking any conveniences. Brilliant!

[@nonsequitur9332]

absolutely beautiful and sleek; no wonder it stood out in this series - that would explain why it's not in australia.

[@homerblancaver6098]

This apartment is so playful and colorful 😍😁😁

[@curbowman]

I like the angled tiles in the shower. With no horizontal lines there won't be little puddles of water between them where mold can grow.

[@AngelasTravelAdventures]

So cute and practical. I love watching these videos

[@hotelierid9029]

The moveable wall is so cool. I also like the pop of yellow in some places, making the room bright and inviting. I think he did a great job with furniture choices with only 30 square metres.

[@markkazeno2709]

DAMN! THE FUNCTIONALITY AND AESTHETIC VALUE OF THIS PROJECT IS ON ANOTHER LEVEL! VERY, VERY IMPRESSIVE!

[@thesazzycath1641]

Talk about innovation, aesthetic and functionality!! Hands down💖

[@gus473]

👍🏼 Great bathroom, especially the shower tile!

[@belleville1805]

This is one of my favorite size for my own apartment, not too big or too small 💛💛 love the design

[@edcrfvtgbyhnujmikolpqazwsx]

Many great solutions in this apartment. I love the bathroom.

[@cheesecake4648]

yes! a bidet at last! that is a necessity!

[@rickypego1]

The colours are so beautiful and transmit peace. The moveable wall is very clever, but I think I would not use it as much as it was supposed to be. Also, the minimalist decoration is also something to be consired in small places and that flat became bigger, I really appreciate it.

[@lh-ll6wb]

Personally, I would have turned the movable wall 90deg around, that it is facing the windows. Then it would squeeze in the living space and not the floor space. Because when I am sleeping or working, I don’t need that much living space. Then you could put the dining table on the Wall, where the mirror hangs and you don‘t need this breakfast bar anymore or have to take your food through the whole flat. As a bonus this would be separating the space when guests come over everyone has their own small booth. Because the folding bed is not as wide as the wall so you could put a small cabinet next to the bed that you don’t have to walk around the wall to get your clothes.

[@hamstercage0619]

I'm too lazy to have movable walls and foldable bed 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@melissakenealy8868]

Love this design and layout. The movable wall is genius. The only thing I don't like is the colour palette but that is something easily changed.

[@liviadrusilla6778]

The yellow makes the finish look cheap, like student accommodation or McDonalds. It's so cold looking and I am a minimalist!

[@kidvinie6491]

I agree. Being white would give the impression of higher quality.

[@davidwhite160]

Nice to see South African architects working abroad

[@jamescooperjc]

I think... this is my favourite so far!

[@Thathumanoverthere1701]

Loving the rainbow buttons on the tufted sofa. Gonna use that in my next couch.

[@DevlinTiao]

Genius!!! Just Love the whole new plan 👍👍👍

[@niravmehta3854]

Very nice Design ,amazing space utilisation,kudos .

[@_innerpeacekeeper]

I love it! The pops of yellow makes the space even more inviting. Good job!

[@jessiejessie661]

i really like the WFH table created from folding the bed and movingthe wall because somehow i could concentrate better on that small space. reminds me of a library ♥

[@artisinel]

This moving wall is a genius idea!

[@kb9847]

Amazing design! The only thing I would change is the kitchen sink as I don't like small round sinks, but that is just preference. The actual design is brilliant!! Thanks for sharing.

[@Jadag187]

I wants the exact interior! Hope I will find a architect in my country able to create such space! This is a beautiful job!

[@marisasm]

Beautiful design!🤌

[@catherineg.9470]

Asking for the downstairs neighbors: How does this movable wall sound moving to and fro all gd day?

[@rachaelrobins9855]

I thought this too! 🤣

[@nathansukchai9415]

Yeah depends on the quality of the bearings and traces they used on the upper track if built well most weight should be hung on the upper rails and if they are high quality it should be relatively silent especially if they use some sort of soft gasket when mounting the rails dampening vibration transmissions to the walls

[@stevendornbusch9240]

Didn't we hear it? And not much to hear. it must have a LOT of casters underneath and a quality rail guide system right and left.

[@mictheflash]

Love this design, it's great how they've thought ahead to use every nook and cranny for practical use. 😍

[@romaDa]

Next level design with the movable wall

[@christofferandrew02]

The movable wall is such a revolutionary design, hats off to clever architect

[@nadineireland3361]

This I like! Usually tiny apartments have kitchens that are equipped only to make tea and toast. I believe one could actually cook a meal in this one. I think the space has been used very cleverly and I like the sliding wall concept because it is very functional. The colour scheme and choice of fittings is not to my taste but overall I rate this design very highly.

[@buzzi2k]

Quite clever! I would have a fold down desk target than slide out, so that it covers up the computer/work station for sleeping at night

[@CreateWithVerity]

Love the pop of colour with the yellow!

[@terenceyuen4424]

I was skeptical at first but they really maximized that small apartment. Bravo!

[@Totallysamsays]

Great use of space and very creative. It's looks huge. 😷👍🏾

[@usagilamperouge]

I'm obsessed with this apartment

[@jefri4176]

Very nice design. I love this compact and smart design 😁

[@nicolerichter8047]

wow very smart conversation, moveable walls. looks cosy and liveable

[@chrisbroekhof]

Very, very nice, smart and beautiful, so well done!!

[@bikr6573]

Nice clean design. Good layout. Love the recess cabinet handles. Great usage of space with mobile utility/ storage wall and murphy bed! Bathroom might be overly large for the space. Could have forgone the bidet sink for a bidet toilet seat or a hose. It would have allowed for more storage. Kitchen might be too cramp and no prep space.

[@safiraimoney]

What a great design! Im so amazed at this

[@MESTER47]

Really great design, all is very light.

[@nileshkakkad5744]

Wonderful architecture 👍