A Versatile Canvas
Javier Salvador and Yago García of HEIMAT studio make it a priority to give their clients a versatile canvas where they can “express themselves and shape as their lives change and grow” – especially in a small space. Furniture House in Seville, Spain, is a case in point. Home to a couple who enjoy travelling Europe in their campervan, the apartment is grounded by a continuous birch unit running along one side of the apartment that serves as a backdrop to their plants and eclectic personal items. Flexibility and functionality prevail throughout this design, with the archiects counting the couple's nomadic inclinations among their key influences.
The 55sqm/592sqft apartment is nestled within a typical Sevillian building from the 1970s and faces south onto a charming square within a small and friendly community. Initially compartmentalised with three bedrooms connected by a long, dark corridor, the redesign prioritised openness, natural light, and maximum functionality. Two bedrooms were removed to create a spacious open area encompassing the living room, dining room, and kitchen – all oriented towards the sunny southern façade. The original kitchen footprint was replaced by what the architects describe as a “flexible room”, which, on a typical day, is simply an extension of the living room. Ceiling-mounted curtains and a murphy bed, however, make quick work of converting it into a semi-private space when a guest comes to town. (Fun fact: The curtains were made by the homeowner’s mother, who upcycled old curtains she already had.)
One Unit, Many Functions
The birch unit, which runs from the entry all the way through to the farthermost wall, serves many functions. Beginning as an entryway wardrobe before transitioning into doors, the unit continues on to hold a desk, a murphy bed, the kitchen cabinetry, and a dining bench – ensuring a more adaptable and open environment. The J-shaped kitchen gives some definition to the flow of the room, with a central kitchen island offers a place to not only “have breakfast, maybe a quick dinner” but also “a point in the house to socialise when you have guests”, according to the Salvador. The dining nook, complete with a pine table from Spanish company LUFE and a hanging yellow pendant lamp from IKEA, offers a cosy spot for a sit down meal with friends.
Sightlines and Sunshine
Sightlines play a big role in this layout of this space, particular when it comes to connecting the interior to the exterior. For starters, the same large grey tiles were used across the entire interior out to the balcony “so it’s visually connected to the interior space”. Meanwhile, over in the bedroom, the south facing window perfectly aligns with both the kitchen and the living room windows, so you can see straight through to the courtyard on the opposite side.
Laundry and an additional storage closet can be found on the building’s rooftop – a common feature of Seville apartments. This way, you can wash the clothes and directly hang them on the lines, where they apparently dry within the hour due to the hot and sunny climate.
Combining Uses for Comfortable Living
Salvador and García's design philosophy of combining functionality with aesthetic appeal shines through in every aspect of this apartment. “One of the keys to designing a small home is to create a space that is flexible and can serve multiple functions”, said García. “By combining uses and maximising the space, you can make your everyday life more comfortable and enjoyable, rather than having separate and independent areas”.
