As a CGI specialist and aspiring property developer, I see a lot of proposed developments drawings. Also, I’m a member of multiple property business-related groups and forum I see the wins and the units ready to be built.
And sometimes it makes me wonder if, in the whole process of creating new homes, the user is taken into account.
I understand that we want to make the most out of every inch of available space and I know that if you meet the minimum area requirements, you’ll get past the planning. The more units you fit, the better the return on investment. Right?
Unfortunately, some of the bedrooms are so tiny that by looking at the size of the bed on the plan, nothing else will fit in there.
– because they are L-shaped with a sloped ceiling, or
– they have big full hight window on one long wall, radiator on the other and when you are trying to position the bed, you have a choice of exposing your bottom to the neighbours or burning it on the heater. Forget about having a wardrobe or desk. Why would you need that in your room?
Some en-suite bathrooms are no bigger than a closet or converted from a cabinet. Yes, you will fit there tiny basin, 600wide shower and a toilet but make sure you’re wearing knee and elbow pads and extra padding around the waist to avoid bruises and visit from social services.
We design micro-apartments as a way for a buyer to start on the property ladder, but at the same time, we are not creating homes, we build temporary accommodation. Looking beautiful from the outside but challenging in regards to furnishing and practical use.
If you are building to sell, you might find that if someone is saving their money for years for the deposit, they will look for the best apartment or house they can get and if they have to find additional 5-10k to buy something better, they will.
I know I did. There is a reason why some units will sell off-plan like hotcakes, and there are always a couple that won’t sell at asking price.
If you are building to rent, you may find that you’ll attract a specific type of tenant — not the one looking for a real home but the one looking for a place to sleep. They won’t look after your investment property as they would after their own. They will treat it as a stepping stone to something better.
Maybe it’s naive, but when I plan the space, I like to imagine myself living there, especially for small apartments thinking about how I can make it better.
But I’m not looking at them from the perspective of a person living in the four-bedroom house but from the perspective of a teenager being brought up in a 32sqm flat shared with parents and sister for 18 years.
I know I’m not an architect, but I like to think that the years of experience in living in the tiny apartment working as a site engineer, commercial interior designer and digital engineer gave me a unique perspective.
I know that my ability to look at 2D drawings and imagine them in 3D gives me the advantage of changing the viewpoint and see what not visible clearly or what’s not catching your eye.
I often comment under the posts, sharing my ideas and solutions. Maybe it is perceived as rude or unsolicited advice, but If I can help someone to see what I see before it too late to change it, it is worth it.
If you’re interested in working with me or need a fresh pair of eyes, let’s have a chat.
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