I was absolutely floored by this incredible transforming apartment featured on “World’s Greenest Homes“
I think this video of architect Gary Chang’s home is not only a wonderfully executed exercise in economizing and what could be considered “green” living, it reveals how solving a problem with design has resulted in a visually appealing and artistically inspired minimalist space.
If you are a regular reader of home and design magazines like Dwell, or a hilarious favorite blog of mine “Unhappy Hipsters” you might be as shocked as I am how frequently so-called “green” designers are praised for what appears to be wasted space and resources on sprawling homes, estates, or abandoned-car-washes-cum-trendy-boutiques replete with sustainably raised, scavenged, and/or otherwise fair-traded everything-under-the-sun. (Don’t forget, they are wearing the latest and greatest organic fashions.)
Many of the 10 page photo spreads read more like, “How to Buy/Sell Tons of Designerly Stuff No One Really Needs While Living in Expensive Cities Yet Still Be Able to Justify to Yourself and Fool Everyone Else Into Thinking You Care Deeply About the Earth and the Plight of Those Less Privileged.” Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind anyone living any way they like or buying whatever they desire. What I don’t appreciate is the holier-than-thou attitude of many of today’s Green Elite. You’ll have to forgive me if I don’t see their fashionable excesses as rather un- “green” myself. It is designers like Chang, who live out their principles while utilizing inspired design that really impress me.
How do I get Chang’s designs/floorplans?? This was great! My daughter is a huge fan of all things Japanese. We lived there before she was born…and she resents us for that! But I see her moving there someday, even if it’s only as a student. Space in Japan, like Hong Kong, is at a premium. This would be a good idea for her (future). The principles, though, could apply anywhere. Can you imagine this concept being applied to student dorms at the universities? It would take less space, but provide so much more living capacity. Very interesting!
@Rob – I agree, it would be incredible if more people adopted this type of planning – as the technology utilized itself seems relatively simple if one has the desire to do this!