Product Description

How do you maximize living space in increasingly small and expensive apartments that are being built in cities around the country? This stunningly illustrated book reveals how renowned architects -- including Stephen Alton, SA Architects, David Hotson Architects, and Gary Schoemaker Architects -- have solved that problem in their designs for small apartments and lofts in New York, San Fransisco, Boston, and other major US cities where residential square footage is at a premium.

These design solutions focus on innovative, multifunctional uses within small spaces: a dining area by night, an office by day; living rooms that morph into party spaces or media rooms; and free-standing closets that conceal everything from kitchens, to beds, to work stations. The projects exhibit excellence in design, along with innovative use of materials and construction methods. Each case study includes interior and exterior photography by some of the finest architectural photographers working today, accompanied by design drawings that include site plans, details, and floor plans.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #272533 in Books
• Published on: 2005-09-01
• Released on: 2005-09-20
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 192 pages

From Publishers Weekly
When you want to maximize living space, multi-tasking is key, as Trulove (Big Ideas for Small Spaces) shows in this sleek showcase of 18 well-designed small apartments in New York and elsewhere. A dining table doubles as a desk; a bedroom serves as an extension of the living room; and a freestanding storage and media unit also works as a room divider, separating the bedroom from the living area. Many of the recommendations in this heavily illustrated book pertain to architectural changes, not decorative ones (e.g., use a partial wall to separate the living and dining area from the kitchen; replace solid walls with translucent glass walls). However, some tried-and-true examples of universally useful space-savers (the ubiquitous Murphy bed, for example) are present, as well. The bulk of the featured apartments are modern in design, and while there are many fine illustrations of furniture and fixtures designed specifically for the spaces, the work does offer some general guidelines for making the most of small space (for example, make use of natural light, whether from a skylight or windows, even if there are few). Whether readers live in studios or small two-bedrooms, they'll come away from this handsome book with plenty of inspiration.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

James Grayson Trulove is an author, publisher, and editor of books on the subjects of architecture, landscape architecture, and garden design. His recent books include New Sustainable Homes, 25 Apartments and Lofts Under 2500 Square Feet, and Prefab Now. He resides in Washington, D.C., and New York.

Customer Reviews

Small apartments?
Although there are some interesting architectural and design ideas in this book, the apartments aren't small by any stretch of the imagination. All of the design is modern, as well--not enough variety to really provide inspiration.

If you're looking for a book on this topic, try "Living Large in Small Spaces," by Marisa Bartolucci. One look through that book, and I was able to brainstorm a solution for my living room that also has triple duty as a dining room and bedroom for my daughter when she's home from college.

James Grayson Trulove is my design hero
This author consistently turns out high-quality books, often related to small-space living. His narrative is very well done as well as the photography: goes beyond pretty pictures (although they are fine too). Mr. Trulove, if you are reading this, keep up the good work!

average
Average book.
Good pictures. Very few and low quality drawings,
Not a significant research source for architects...