Back in 2011, a challenge was issued on Treehugger’s web site to create a 420 square foot living space that can do everything a space twice that big would normally do:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Help Design, Build an Ultra-Low Footprint Apartment: The LifeEdited Project<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Specifically:<\/p>\n\n\n\n One reason New Yorkers use less energy per capita is that they live in smaller spaces; Graham\u2019s apartment is 420 square feet. A goal of the LifeEdited project is to demonstrate not just to New Yorkers, but to readers around the country that one or two people can live happily and comfortably in a space that size, and that the key to doing so is good design. Graham has created a challenging program:<\/p> * Sit down dinner for 16 The winning entry was a great example of folding. There is one movable wall that contains the office and guest room. Sliding that wall out of the way creates a much larger space for entertaining. The living room turns into the master bedroom by folding a bed out of the wall. It’s a very clever solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This idea eventually became a whole company producing these folding apartments, which you can see here:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
* a full size office
* accommodation for two guests in comfort and privacy
* a bedroom that feels like a bedroom<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n