Sweden Houzz Tour: A Studio's Custom Design & Boatbuilding Tricks
The brief? To pack a kitchen, bathroom, dining area, mezzanine and even a sauna into a 20-square-metre room
Sara Norrman
23 November 2019
“When we first saw this small room at the beginning of the project, it was just a shell, a completely unfurnished house that the customer wanted to turn into a mix of office [space], product showroom and retreat,” says Daniel Wolgast, project manager at interior design firm Studio A3 and sister company A3 Byggprojekt, which provides project management and building services. “The idea was to create a place of creativity and inspiration for the customers, who work in design.”
With only about 20 square metres to play with, the building was not large. However, the owners wanted to squeeze in a full kitchen, bathroom, dining area for big parties, a mezzanine, smart storage solutions and, to top it off, a sauna.
With only about 20 square metres to play with, the building was not large. However, the owners wanted to squeeze in a full kitchen, bathroom, dining area for big parties, a mezzanine, smart storage solutions and, to top it off, a sauna.
Houzz at a Glance
Size: Just over 20 square metres
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
Designer: Studio A3
Builder: A3 Byggprojekt
Year: 2019
Budget: About AUD$5,500 for the planning and approximately AUD$151,900 for the renovation work, including the built-in furniture
The owners asked for simple and tasteful decor inspired by Japanese and Scandinavian design.
“We used as few materials as possible, namely concrete, white oak and light tones. We also removed any unnecessary details or hid them inside storage units,” says Daniel.
Size: Just over 20 square metres
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
Designer: Studio A3
Builder: A3 Byggprojekt
Year: 2019
Budget: About AUD$5,500 for the planning and approximately AUD$151,900 for the renovation work, including the built-in furniture
The owners asked for simple and tasteful decor inspired by Japanese and Scandinavian design.
“We used as few materials as possible, namely concrete, white oak and light tones. We also removed any unnecessary details or hid them inside storage units,” says Daniel.
Since the studio has a ceiling height of nearly 4.5-metres, the height and light within the space were used to the fullest. The glazed doors and the window in the gable are original.
The speakers in the corners were an important part of the plan. “The music equipment was there from the beginning,” says Daniel. “There’s even an integrated subwoofer in one of the drawers under the couch.”
The speakers in the corners were an important part of the plan. “The music equipment was there from the beginning,” says Daniel. “There’s even an integrated subwoofer in one of the drawers under the couch.”
To make room for all the planned features, nearly every piece of the interior and the furniture was custom-made. “We designed the staircase, the railings, the handrail, the table, the storage bench, the bed frame – with storage boxes in the headboard – and the bathroom mirror,” says Daniel. “The kitchen is based on components from Ballingslöv [a Swedish kitchen manufacturer], and then our cabinetmaker took over and got the kitchen and stairs to blend together beautifully.”
Need to fit a lot of features into a small space? Use Houzz to find an interior designer near you for space-saving solutions
Need to fit a lot of features into a small space? Use Houzz to find an interior designer near you for space-saving solutions
The walls were already partially covered in timber panelling. Studio A3 continued this material into the rest of the room and painted it white to visually unify the space.
The furniture is made of whitewashed oak and matt-lacquered MDF, while the floor is finished in an industrial self-levelling cement floor screed.
The furniture is made of whitewashed oak and matt-lacquered MDF, while the floor is finished in an industrial self-levelling cement floor screed.
The project’s carpenter, who comes from a family of boat builders, came up with the idea to make use of the empty space under the table. “It was important to maximise the storage in all the furniture, so there was a lot of boat-cabin thinking,” says Lina Wolgast, an interior designer at Studio A3.
“The sofa is a pull-out, there are drawers throughout the bench, and the table is on wheels so it can be moved,” she says.
The built-in kitchen features a fridge, stove, dishwasher and a wine fridge. The open shelves hang close to the ceiling to create the illusion of space.
The stairs, however, proved a bit challenging. “The steps are actually attached to a steel structure behind the panelling,” says Daniel. “The oak pieces are attached to steel beams that extend from [the steel structure], so they sit firmly.”
The little window is original, and faces another property. The stools were specifically designed for the studio.
The little window is original, and faces another property. The stools were specifically designed for the studio.
The team installed two Velux skylights in the mezzanine to bring in as much light as possible.
The lighting in the studio was also carefully planned out, and although Lina is usually not fond of recessed downlights, they work well here. “They make for a unified look throughout the house. However, we had to do a lot of rewiring, take down the panelling, and place the stairs a certain way to get the spotlights in,” she says.
Fitting a bathroom, complete with a shower and sauna, into approximately 2.6 square metres was also no walk in the park.
“We had to compromise a little on the standard dimensions of the sauna. It is 1.5 square metres,” says Daniel. Recommended dimensions are usually 0.8 square metres per person, with 60 centimetres sitting space per person, plus technical space. “But the customer is fine with it.”
“We had to compromise a little on the standard dimensions of the sauna. It is 1.5 square metres,” says Daniel. Recommended dimensions are usually 0.8 square metres per person, with 60 centimetres sitting space per person, plus technical space. “But the customer is fine with it.”
The shower is bordered by a folding-glass wall that maximises floor space, and they had an especially wide mirror custom-made to reflect the room and visually enlarge its dimensions.
Your turn
Which features in this small space do you love? Tell us in the Comments, save the images for inspiration, like this story, and join the conversation.
More
Craving more great design? Don’t miss our last Houzz Tour: Year-Round Comfort With Passive Solar Design
Your turn
Which features in this small space do you love? Tell us in the Comments, save the images for inspiration, like this story, and join the conversation.
More
Craving more great design? Don’t miss our last Houzz Tour: Year-Round Comfort With Passive Solar Design
Related Stories
Houzz Tours
France Houzz: A New Island Home With an Old Soul
Check out this young family's welcoming and characterful French island home on Île d’Yeu, which embraces local style
Full Story
Houzz Tours
Germany Houzz: A Small Cabin Transformed Into a Forest Retreat
In this secluded area in the Taunus mountains of Germany, a family enjoys their weekends in 29 square metres of space
Full Story
Houzz TV
London Houzz: Tour a Contemporary Loft in an Old Victorian School
Watch and read how a design firm updated this light and airy apartment in an old block with sleek style and warm touches
Full Story
Garden Design
Spain Garden Tour: A Mediterranean Makeover With Colour & Texture
Once neglected, this naturalistic garden is now a series of outdoor rooms with idyllic spots to swim, dine and relax
Full Story
Houzz Tours
Berlin Houzz: A Touch of Japanese Forest Bathing in a German Home
Beloved memories of Japan come to life with the renovation of this 120-square-metre apartment in Berlin, Germany
Full Story
Houzz Tours
London Houzz: Daring Colour & Texture Transform a Victorian Home
By Kate Burt
The busy owners of this terrace sought help to design outside their decor comfort zone – the result is a cool classic
Full Story
Houzz Tours
Germany Houzz: Creating Summer & Winter Homes in a Converted Barn
One barn, two homes – see how architects designed separate zones for summer and winter living in an old country barn
Full Story
Houzz Tours
Before & After: Finding the Perfect Pink in a Barcelona Kitchen
Barely-there pink acts as a warm neutral in a new open-plan Spanish kitchen, replacing dark cabinets and drab finishes
Full Story
Houzz Tours
Before & After: Colour Blocking & Pattern Nod to Nature in Rome
Move and upsize or stay and renovate? This young family chose the latter in their small Italian apartment – here's why
Full Story
Houzz Tours
Barcelona Houzz: Style, Sustainability and Pattern in a Tiny Flat
Part-renovation, part-restoration, the owners of this Spanish apartment balanced historical style with forward thinking
Full Story
For me, it's jaw-droppingly clever and beautiful. I love the wood, the clever stairs (though not sure I'd feel the same if I actually had to live with them!), the bathroom ...
Bit confused as to picture 8, the caption says "The stools were specially designed for the home" yet they aren't any stools in the picture, and I can't see any in any other pictures of the downstairs?
Also, agree with Yvonne about the open treads over a food prep area... assuming the owners won't be doing much prep there...
Very clever, and stylish.
Helpful that costing was included. £4000 per square metre; so clearly not for the faint-hearted.