A Home’s Hidden Laundromat
Living in a small apartment typically means living without a washing machine. While far from an end-of-the-world scenario, it can be a pain, especially if you have kids. Dropping off and picking up heavy bags–either to in-building machines or laundromat–being subject to laundromat hours, making sure you have tons of quarters, etc. But wedging a huge appliance into a small space is seldom feasible. Often when people do manage to fit one in, it’s in the kitchen or bathroom and looks a bit out-of-place.
Parisian Architects Studio d’Archi came up with a smart solution, sticking a full-sized, top-loading washing machine in a kitchen island. The washing machine is fully concealed and accessible via a top-hinged butcher-block countertop. The lower panels come off permitting easy maintenance. Amazingly, the apartment it goes into is only 375 sq ft.
In terms of a dryer, Studio d’Archi’s blog links to a fold down rack (not clear if it’s in the same apartment). It’s not quite as clever as the washer, but small, green and does the job. Check here for some of our suggestions.
via Dornob