Case study: how to solve the problem when the entrance door faces the bathroom??
Case 1: 80 m2 – a single man’s home
In this layout above, we can find a few problems:
The entrance is facing directly to the bathroom
Dining room is located in the center of the plan with lack of sunlight
Mater room is close to living room, with lack of privacy
The owner of this 80m2 apartment likes to cook at home, who hopes to have a pleasant dining area. So the challenges for this project include to optimize the layout and improve the cooking/dining environment.
Design ideas:
Combine the guest room and kitchen into a big space for chores only, and combine the living room and bedroom into living area. Here we create two spaces without interference.
There are two paths after entering the apartment. To the left is the living area flow while to the right is the storage area before entering kitchen – to free your hands at the first second.
Compared to the original plan, the new entrance not only blocks the direct view of bathroom view, but also makes the buffering zone with a big storage cabinet.
The entrance – kitchen – dining area – bathroom therefore is linked with a loop. The hallway is not just a pathway. It also serves as operation area that greatly enhance the usability.
Visually, the loop connects two big spaces and two small spaces. It creates an interesting walk experience.
Furthermore, this loop improved the ventilation and lighting flow.
We don’t have balcony in this plan. Hence it’s important to have washing machine and dryer next to the basin as the chore area. You can take care of the laundry while cooking in the kitchen.
Case 2: 140 m2 – a home of six
Although this apartment is much larger than the previous one, we are facing several similar problems:
No proper foyer as the entrance is facing the dining room
Laundry balcony is almost isolated from all other spaces
One mixed bathroom is inedquate for a family of six
Design ideas:
We recreate the chore area by having a cabinet to separate the entrance and dining area, and having the laundry balcony connected with the kitchen
Similar to previous case, entrance – kitchen – dining area together make a loop.
It’s easy to place shopping bags after entering so the space can be kept clean and tidy.
This cabinet servces like spirit screen in traditional chinese house, to keep the inside space from the outsider.
One reaches a big space of living and dining area after one turn from the spirit screen. We call it the rhythm of the space to impress the visitors.
A simple laundry traffic flow is built by having separate toilet / shower/ washing area.
With these two cases, I hope you can understand further about the loop in interior layout design. The living quality should not be limited within its area, but be open to a passion for better life and loving heart.
-the end-
About the author:
草三冉 Cao San Ran
is an interior designer and writer, based in Canton area, China. He has been working in design industry for over a decade both in Japan and China. His works are always well-thought-out in layouts and details to ensure the unique and best hierarchy solutions for each client. His great writings also put an in-depth theory into an accurate but simple explanation that made me a big fan of his.
If you read Chinese, scan above QR code to read more articles in Chinese from 草三冉.
I will be happy to translate more of his works to share with English readers.