spacon & X completes renovation of family duplex in denmark

remodeled by architecture and design studio spacon & X, this residential dwelling in denmark merges two different apartment to accomodate a family four. as space was limited, the parents wished to integrate a staircase that connects both floors and the house as a whole. therefore, instead of keeping the boundaries, the apartment is organized as activity zones where rooms and furniture fuse into one. 

kitchen with transient, reflecting façades 

for this project, spacon & X has designed the staircase, kitchen area and first floor with the concept of transformation and flexibility in mind. bright and light materials are significantly incorporated to allow natural daylight to filer through. in addition, the latest technologies have been incorporated such as crystalizing glass and kitchen-door using semi-transparent corian. 

the original limited space has been optimized by breaking boundaries and creating flexible zones

the kitchen is designed with a continuous functionality of materials that make up an important feature of the space. doors are created from white and lasting corian material which is easy to clean. in order to break the overall plain look, spacon & x has teamed up with danish interior design to develop semi-transparent cabinet doors with reflecting backlight which adds depth to the kitchen module. these white surfaces have been combined with bright and durable bas-douglas classic pinewood from the danish brand dinesen, creating functionality and warmth. further more, a raw brick wall contributes to a balance sense of both openness and nearness. 

the staircase in the middle of the kitchen has been designed as an active, aesthetic and central component with a built-in bench and storage for both kitchen and adjacent guest room. by adopting several functions, and configurations, the staircase eventually breaks down the boundaries between furniture and space.

the staircase includes multiple functions such as clothing storage, bench and furniture

as bedrooms usually take up a lot of space during daytime, spacon & x redefines what it means to make the bed in the morning. when folding the bed uptowards the wall, a space for daytime activities is created. the structure is made of light and raw wood — underlining the functionality of the component — while pastel coloured curtains brings in a private, tactile and intimate feeling to the zone. on the other hand, a small bathroom with a build-in bathtub and shower creates associations to nature and contrast with the white tiles.

besides a build-in sofa area with integrated plant life that offers a vibrant and airy atmosphere, the living room can be used and activated in multiple ways – according to the needs of the family. built-in stools within the shelves can work as small tables in the sofa area or extra stools for a dinner party. when not in use, they can be stored into the shelving system to liberate some space.

the staircase in the middle of the kitchen acts as a central feature

the upper level is more private, housing a bedroom and wardrobe. the space is kept open with a webgrid from jakob inoxline, in white powder-coated steel frame that creates air and space upstairs and in the narrow staircase. a light blue color for the floor establishes a serene atmosphere, bringing a playful aesthetic to the functionality. finally, the wardrobe is designed with translucent surfaces which bring in a light and tactile quality to the space.

staircase as a functional furniture with a bench and storage

upstairs-area with built in storage and an open web-grid

folding guest bed

folding guest bed making the square meter active when the bed is not in use

living room shelving system with built-in stools as small side tables and stools for parties

unfolding office station

flexible children playroom: the unit works as a bed, storage and playroom that can easily be folded in and out

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lea zeitoun | designboom