NEVER TOO SMALL: Bright, Minimalist Mezzanine Apartment, Taiwan 70sqm/753sqft

Inspired by the owners’ two cats who love basking in the sun, Jeff Weng of 2 Book Design focused on opening up the space and maximising natural light when transforming this once dark, run-down apartment in Taipei City. On request from the owners, Weng kept the colour palette and material choice deliberately simple and minimalist, opting to use a combination of mineral coating and wood laminate. By reducing the size and bulkiness of the existing mezzanine, the light and view from the original large window can now be shared by both levels, whilst a new metal truss staircase, with a multifunctional storage cabinet as its base, increases the lightness and transparency of the space. With its considered and pared-back design, IT’s house is distraction-free, clutter-free, calm and perfectly suited to both the humans and cats who live there.

#smallapartment #architecture #interiordesign

Ep 162
Project Name: IT’s House

Produced by New Mac Video Agency
Creator: Colin Chee
Director: Nam Tran
Producer: Lindsay Barnard
Editor: Colin Chee

[fashionforwarddd]

While this design is way too sterile for me I still admire it. This is a minimalist’s dream. Truly amazing design. I admire people that can be so clean and organized. The apartment is truly spotless. Even the cat is white. So cute. I also love how they designed the bedroom to be tucked away but it has such a beautiful view.

[sallyduda]

I like the layout. Very creative use of small space! Not a fan of the predominantly white color scheme but I imagine it makes the space feel bigger.

[tiffany]

As a Taiwanese, I'm so happy to finally find this interior design isn't the typical so-called 'Wabi-Sabi and Scandinavian' style anymore. I've been watching tons of new house introductions from Taiwanese YouTubers, and they all look the same. I love this semi-open layout that allows nature light pass through all over the place

[SLiX-thatguym-]

I love his quote about small spaces being more of an atmosphere and not just cramming as much in as little even if efficient. Being minimalist is a mentality, and this designer perfectly captured that for his clients. Good job.

[Prp]

Apartments in Taipei are usually really small and dark so having such a nice space with that amount of natural light in Taipei is a huge luxury. To everyone saying 70m2 is not a small place, consider the 70m2 are divided in 2 floors and the second one has low ceilings so it's not the same as a 70m2 flat with only one floor. Congrats on the design. If I see this in Taipei my jaw would definitely drop to the floor. 恭喜您！

[Allfirebb]

Love it when they show where they hide the litter box!! That's my biggest issue in my small space.

[n-on]

I liked that there is play space for the cats!!

[dumafuji]

It’s cool and unique. I like how polarizing these homes can be. You are doing some thing right!

[clem_chou]

Usually architects and designers make a small place look bigger. Here the flat is 70 square meters but looks much tinier! The sofa in a corridor, the dining/working table squeezed right by the stairs, the weird access tot he mezzanine and low ceilings all make that space feel much smaller than it is somehow.

[alexvaznogueira]

I love that clean minimalism but I don't like those low ceilings, it overwhelm me too much.

[zainmazhar]

the view from bedroom. through that foyer area is the heart of this design.

[cdg]

With a bit of colour in the form of a painting or a design lamp to contrast the very white brightness of this place (at least not all the cats were white!), I really liked: the minimalistic yet practicality of it was great.

[insertyourquarters]

I would be so scared to get anything dirty 😂 but honestly love everything that was done to the space. So unusual but also so homely.

[shihsthatgirl]

Thank you for featuring a home from Taiwan, my home country! It its incredible to me that there are (seemingly young) adults that can buy such a large place and renovate it so modernly in an insanely expensive part of Taipei. This would be my dream too if I move back home.

[stackels]

Absolutely gorgeous. Love the 3 levels, such a clever layout. Finally a space with storage, appropriate open plan areas AND closed privacy for the bathrooms.

[marig]

that bathroom sink! the natural light! i love

[amougouclarke]

So pure, so elegant, so neutral and bright I love it ❤❤❤

[daniellebissonnette]

Smart design and layout, I love how they reconfigured the mezzanine. This space does not feel small at all. I like that the guest bedroom was left open.

[jeanninehardy]

Perfect! Love the different ceilings heights that dont feel cramped. Truly, a remarkable space.

[indigo_died]

Looks cool but there has to be a sqm limit on what can be considered as a small place. Maybe 50sqm.