The Flexible Architecture of a Didomestic Apartment

This compact apartment in Madrid showcases an innovative and practical design. With moving walls and secret furniture, it offers a unique living experience that combines modernity with functionality.

The apartment, created in the loft of an old building, was designed by Spanish studio Elii Architects to maximize the limited square footage by creating flexible rooms and furniture. Each space can be rearranged or adapted for different purposes – a one-person tea time or a many-people party.

The glass partitioned walls are movable. But the apartment’s architectural flexibility extends further. Wardrobes are built into the walls, with doors that cleverly blend in with the wall. A dining table, accompanied by benches, can be lowered from the ceiling and retracted back.

Toiletries are stored in a concealed floor compartment. As if that’s insufficient, a swing, disco ball, and hammock are also concealed in the ceiling for added enjoyment and relaxation.

The apartment’s materials cleverly combine bright and modern elements (glass, teal, pink, and white) with rustic woods (beams and exposed plywood). Consistency in design materials ensures flexibility, allowing the apartment to be opened or partitioned according to need while maintaining a fluid and authentic feel.

We interviewed the architects of this functional space. Here’s what they said:

Homedit: Describe your design process for this structure – where did it start?

Elii: We considered everything from the beginning. However, some elements influenced the proposal. For instance, the flat is very small.

Homedit: Did you begin with the shell of the structure and then fill in the blanks? Or was the enclosed central staircase the catalyst?

Elii: The staircase is centrally positioned for two reasons: It provides sufficient height for accessing the upper part through the mansard, and it allows for various configurations of the panels.

Homedit: Are the indoor hammock, swing, and disco ball later additions to the design, or did they influence the design concept?

Elii: No, they were part of the house concept. We wanted to include some non-domestic elements in the interior, things that are not typically found at home but are desired. This adds a special touch to everyday life.

The main idea of the house is a domestic theater, which allows for various functions and possibilities. For example, the living room can be transformed into a discotheque or a picnic area.

Homedit: How did you select the materials, such as the bright turquoise metal stairs, raw plywood ceiling, and shelves?

Elii: We selected all materials in collaboration with the client, who has a strong love for Hello Kitty and a preference for heavy metal. Our goal was to honor her taste and reflect it in the overall aesthetic of the space.

Homedit: Despite the steep and occasionally low slope of the second-floor ceiling, the space remains functional. What was the crucial factor in your design to achieve this apparent contradiction?

Elii: It’s super steep. We stopped the floor of the top part at 3/5 of the size to achieve a double height.

Homedit: Every square inch of wall or ceiling seems magically more than it seems. Are there more hidden storage options or is this home designed for minimalism?

Elii: We maximized space usage in this small flat and added secret compartments, turning the house into a kind of toy. We can’t reveal all the secrets.

Homedit: Will the built-in components of this home design become confining or liberating to the resident over time?

Elii: She loves the space.

Homedit: We can see why. It’s unique, inspiring, and beautiful.