There is a solution for reasonably priced accommodation in large cities: the micro-apartment. The supply is growing, but what exactly are we talking about?

Micro-apartments as a solution to the housing shortage

In many large cities, there is a glaring shortage of housing, not to mention exorbitant rental prices per square metre. Faced with this situation, some cities, New York in particular, are developing a range of micro-apartments. The key words are ingenuity and modularity to create comfortable living spaces in (very) small structures. Interior designers are having a field day, optimising spaces with foldaway beds, niches, cupboards integrated into the walls, platforms, etc.

"Small area' is a relative term

All over the western world, these micro-apartments are intended for the same categories of population, mainly students, young workers and elderly people who find themselves alone. However, everything is relative when using this term, since the surface areas vary considerably. To take the example of New York, the Carmel Place pilot project in the Kips Bay neighbourhood offers 55 units ranging from 265 to 302 square feet, which corresponds to about 24 to 28 square metres, a very reasonable size for a studio apartment on European soil! In Montreal, the term "micro condo" is used when the flat has a surface area of 37 m²... This is a far cry from the minimum of 12 m² imposed by Luxembourg law to be able to rent a property.

The importance of brightness

Whether they are renovated maid's rooms under the roofs of Paris or prefabricated modules (like containers) in American warehouses, the micro-apartments all meet the same requirements. First and foremost, it is necessary to imagine particularly efficient ergonomics so that the inhabitants can eat, sleep, wash, relax, etc. in a restricted space. It is also essential that the dwelling benefits from good light (and therefore a large window) to give an impression of space. In the end, the challenge for architects and designers is to make the flat seem larger than it really is, and to make its occupants feel comfortable.

Look at this example: A 24 m2 design flat