- Project: 409 sf Moscow Apartment
- Architect: Alexander Tischler
- Location: Russia, Moscow
- Year: 2022
- Area: 38 m2
- Photography: Olga Shangina
This 409 sf apartment in Moscow by Alexander Tischler, completed in 2022, proves how strategic design can transform a compact footprint into a fully featured home. Created for empty-nesters, it fits a separate bedroom, balcony home office, and concealed utility zones—without sacrificing comfort or style.
Smart Layout Redefines One-Room Living
Originally a 38 m² (409 sf) one-room layout, the apartment posed the classic small-space dilemma: keep the bed in the living area or lose living space. Tischler’s team reworked the plan to legally separate the kitchen–living room from the bedroom, preserving openness and daylight.
Two passageways flank a central double-sided wardrobe to reach the bedroom. Frosted sliding glass partitions borrow light from the bedroom window, making the living zone feel brighter and larger.
Kitchen–Living Room: Maximum Function, Minimal Footprint
The corner kitchen integrates built-ins and a refined black countertop, echoed by black profile handles. Column cabinets and top modules run to the ceiling, while an integrated hood keeps lines clean.
At the center, a custom double-sided wardrobe provides major storage and subtly zones the room; on the lounge side, a recessed niche shelf adds rhythm and display space.
Home Office on the Balcony
The insulated balcony becomes a compact work zone featuring:
- Wall-mounted desk
- Two cabinets for documents and household items
- A dedicated charging bay for the robot vacuum cleaner
Small in size yet big on utility, the balcony offers a quiet, daylight-filled place to work, read, or organize.
Bedroom with Comfort and Smart Airflow
The bedroom places the headboard toward the window, leaving a clear wall for the TV opposite. Comfort is upheld with:
- Wall vents for fresh-air circulation
- Optimized radiator placement to avoid drafts
- A layout that keeps natural light flowing through both rooms
Despite its size, the room reads calm and open thanks to continuous sightlines and light sharing.
Creative Problem-Solving in the Details
An awkward bedroom pylon was intentionally left uncovered to save space; reshaped and finished in porcelain stoneware, it becomes a tactile feature instead of a compromise.
Efficient, Expanded Bathroom
Borrowing a sliver of hallway increased the narrow bathroom just enough to add true utility:
- Shallow cabinet with worktop basin
- Overhead storage and utility access
- A compact, highly usable layout
Every element—down to the last handle—was custom-designed and manufactured by the studio, unifying function and aesthetics across all cabinet furniture.
Floor Plan
Before
After
