The “MINI LIVING” installation at this year’s Salone del Mobile in Milan has presented a shared-living concept that addresses one of the key challenges in big cities: the shortage of attractive and affordable places to live.
At the centre of the “MINI LIVING “ installation is a 30 square metre apartment, designed by the Japanese architect ON Design, which forms together with some other would-be apartments a micro-neighbourhood. The focal point of those apartments is their shelving system which can be opened into a shared space that offers new functions – through an opened-out cooking unit, for example. By this means, the installation satisfies the residents’ need for private sphere as well as for community and, at the same time, shows how to get more by sharing.
The use of natural materials - particularly timber - is a key factor for both the interior and the exterior of the living unit, and sustainability principles are applied to the design to consider environmental issues and the well-being of the users.
Arup engaged early with MINI to establish principles for the system design of the unit allowing potential up-scaling and mass customization. We provided consulting services for materials, sustainability, structures, facades, lighting and building physics.