A garden-level apartment that uses flexible, multi-functional elements to bring a range of spatial experiences to what was a tight and awkward 720-square foot unit.

This garden-level apartment part for a young couple came out of a structural remediation project for the larger building. The original space was raw and inefficient, but we saw great opportunity to transform it into a dignified living environment equally suited to quiet family life and entertaining guests.

To unlock the space’s potential, we focused on making most from least. We partitioned the apartment into separate zones that—with the help of flexible furniture—can be easily adapted to different uses. A dining table can pivot out of a long countertop that extends from the kitchen into the living area: the piece can provide an intimate place for dinner or a long bar for parties. A murphy bed folds out from the wall in the home office, making a private room for a weekend guest. Throughout, we used warm wood and simple white finishes to create a casually elegant home.