SLL78's Profile

Oh. WOW.
I love this. LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE it.
We have a parquet floor (Haddon House design) that is in terrible shape. The husband wouldn't go for a multicolor floor but this inspires me to try different shades of stain for the itty bitty parts after we sand them down. I love regular hardwood flooring that has a great variation in color so even when stained the same color you get many different tones. This sort of flooring is difficult to find b/c so many people want everything even and the same. Oftentimes you have to get luck and find some sort of discarded "defective" flooring that hasn't been sorted through.

This inspires me to try and simulate those different tones in the parquet. If I manage to do it perhaps I will post it someplace here. I imagine my patience may not last though :-)

I love the idea of living better in smaller spaces. As someone who lives with her husband in a 1400 square foot house we live in what is considered a "small" house. Our house isn't small, its poorly planned out! (we are trying to fix that at the moment).
But 160 square feet requires that you live a very basic life. Working from home, or entertaining are mostly out. Even having hobbies seems very difficult. I find that small space movement enthusiasts go too far. And by going to these extremes they turn off a lot of people. 160 sqft, at over 200k to the purchaser seems a bit steep, even in San Fran. But maybe a few extra square feet and a full size European style refrigerator and a stovetop could really spruce up the place.
You don't have to put this much research into small space design. People out there have done it already.
I lived with a cousin in a tiny Parisian apartment for 1 week. It had 2 induction burners in the stove and a tiny built in oven. The fridge was too small, but there are plenty of narrow european frigs that are great for people who like to cook but want to save on space. I believe that the Parisian apartment had 3 rooms (a bedroom with small closet, a living space and tiny bathroom) in about 400 square feet. This was without special furniture and the building was from the 1700s so it was not designed with the most modern ideas. But it was light and bright, looked out onto a courtyard etc... It would have been awesome with a balcony (everyone needs some outdoor space).
Also, even if a city has a high percentage of singletons doesn't mean that they don't want to live in a place big enough for two. And if tehy buy a pricy apartment with no garuantee of profit after they sell it then they'd want the option.
This project would be far more feasible if the 160 sqft units were in a building that also featured 300-400 square foot units. ones with a little more space to breathe. I would suggest that they all be studios but still employ the idea of splitting the space for privacy with moveable dividers. Induction stovetop is great b/c it works well, and its not a fire hazard in a small space. Storage space in a basement area in the building for out of season clothing, hobbies etc... is a must in a building like this. Communal space to rent out for parties with a big kitchen is also a great feature that saves money, and space and is already proven in conventional apartment buildings. I also love the idea of having hotel-like rooms in apartment buildings that residents can rent out for guests. So your guests have a place to stay but you don't have to have the space or supplies yourself and only use the rentals when you need them. Communal exercise rooms, and
areas in the building for hobbies and crafts would be great as well. People can rent out lockable desk units where they can keep their supplies and machines. This doesn't only help keept he apartment sizes down, but it also allows for a more communal style of living that single people may actually enjoy. Its often hard to find ways to socialize when you work long hours. And its nice to get to know your neighbors too.

And Please please please. Test the space with an ADULT woman who has a full time professional job, some interest in cooking and a normal amount of stuff. She'd save you thousands in trial and error and unsold units.