Rotterdam’s Smallest Apartment with Bubbelbad and Sauna
A small apartment in Rotterdam designed by the Spanish-German architect couple Beatriz Ramo and Bernd Upmeyer has been making waves. At just 6.89 square meters, this apartment boasts a bubbelbad and a sauna, making it a unique living space. The couple resides in a modest building on Mariniersweg, typical of the reconstruction architecture from the 1950s. From the outside, you would never expect the sleek micro-apartment that lies within.
Upon entering, you are greeted by warm terracotta-colored walls that create a cozy atmosphere. The living room, measuring 2 by 1.60 meters, feels surprisingly spacious thanks to the high ceiling and large window offering views of iconic Rotterdam landmarks. The kitchen, storage space, foldable table, and doors to the bathrooms are cleverly concealed within a wall of cabinets on the right.
The apartment features a light blue-tiled bathroom with a rain shower, leading to a luxurious black marble spa area complete with two infrared saunas and a bubbelbad. A mint green sleeping area, accessed by a staircase hanging in the first bathroom, exudes comfort with its soft colors, fluffy duvet, and tiny wall lights. Each space in the apartment is uniquely designed with different colors and materials, enveloping you in a cocoon-like atmosphere.
Ramo and Upmeyer purchased the attic space in 2011 for 11 thousand euros and transformed it into a cozy retreat for themselves and their family. Originally inhabited by nurses during a housing crisis in the 1950s, the space was mostly used for storage until the couple saw its potential. The renovation, costing a total of 20 thousand euros, was a collaborative effort with Midwinter, a Rotterdam-based company that customized the interior to fit the couple’s needs perfectly.
The project not only resulted in a unique living space but also taught Ramo the value of simplicity and decluttering. She found joy in letting go of possessions and embracing a minimalist lifestyle. Despite receiving offers to sell or rent out the micro-apartment, Ramo and Upmeyer are attached to their creation and have no plans to part with it. However, they have sparked interest from individuals and developers looking to design similar spaces with innovative possibilities.
While living in a space as compact as this may pose challenges, the architects believe it could be a viable solution for temporary accommodation or young individuals starting out on their own. They emphasize that the micro-apartment is not a cure for the housing crisis but rather a testament to creative thinking in maximizing small spaces. Ramo encourages municipalities and developers to explore more efficient housing solutions, suggesting that even a space as small as 7 square meters can be optimized for comfortable living. With thoughtful design choices, the possibilities for utilizing space effectively are endless.