“the two great challenges facing residential design are sustainability and affordability. doing more with less can address both issues: smaller will be more efficient and also more cost effective. one way forward will be to build compact and succinct. this is a prototype of a 15sqm apartment: a micro maisonette, a functional dwelling in the space of a 4x3m room. the furniture is full size, arranged so that it can be folded away, thus one space can be a kitchen, living room, dining room, bedroom, workspace etc adaptable, depending on the function required.

this is a full scale prototype model, made to test ideas. It is constructed from a new, fully recyclable cardboard product known as x-board. we anticipate that the future micro maisonette would be made from materials using this core element, clad with sustainable linings such as laminates, no voc mdf, plywood. this is an exercise in compact living, suitable for gen y, backpackers, campus accommodation etc creating a flexible dwelling, socially relevant with a reduced footprint.” 

Tone Wheeler & Jan O'Connor
Environa Studio
Sydney, Australia
www.environastudio.com.au

Photography / video supplied by
Tim Wheeler
Wheeler Studios
www.wheelerstudios.com.au