25 E. Delaware
Chicago, IL
Chicago, IL
Going to school for architecture in a big city means 2 things when it comes to apartments, specific taste and a low budget. Also being that the client is from out of state, accommodating guests would be an inevitable must. This apartment was chosen because it is located in the gorgeous Gold Coast and was recently converted from a hotel, so all the appliances were new and the wood floors were pristine. Being steps away from the beach and the magnificent mile definitely fit the clients taste, yet comes at a price. At 270 sq ft, the tiny floor plan fits the budget yet provides a challenge. How does one create room to sleep, eat, study, relax, and entertain guests in such a small area?
When guest visit, a small triangle table which serves as an entrancetable is folded out into a square table and stackable chairs are usedto create a dinning room for 4. The side cabinet now becomes acenterpiece like a credenza. When the guests are ready for bed, thetable and chairs are returned to their positions and the murphy bed isfolded down to provide for a guest bedroom. The side cabinet nowserves as a nightstand. Using the side cabinet for multiple activitiessaves money and space. The kitchen is aligned along one wall andserves double duty as a hallway. A couch, flokati rug, and a TV tabledefine the living area. A small end table comes in very handy servingas a place to eat and do homework while relaxing on the couch. Whenthose out of town relatives visit, a matching chair can be pulled fromthe closet to further define the space and serve as extra seating. This Eames chair was found in a dumpster and restored which means stylefor free. The room feels much larger than it really is because whenyou walk in you can see 4 separate spaces; the office, the living area,the kitchen and the closet.
This 270 sq ft apartment can not only take on the daily tasks of a busyarchitecture student, but can also accommodate his weekend visitorswithout rolling out the sleeping bags and clearing the floors. All ofthis furnished for under $1500.
