Electrolux partnered with designer, Nicholas Gurney to develop a new Compact Urban Living environment in the Experience Centre at Mascot, Sydney. The 35 square meter hybrid micro apartment is to inspire designers to discover the design possibilities of compact living, which could be the answer to Australia’s urban housing crisis.
The number of Australians living in apartments has increased by 78% over the last 25 years and apartment living is very common there. While small living quarters have historically common with student living, the micro trend is about elevated comfort for the more mature renter. People are looking for urban living that is luxurious, premium and compact.
Electrolux appliances featured in the space include an AEG 60cm Integrated Dishwasher QuickSelect FSE92000PO, Electrolux 60cm Fully Integrated Dishwasher ESL69200RO, Westinghouse 30cm Two-Zone Induction Cooktop WHI323BC and Vintec 20-Bottle Single Zone Wine Cabinet VWS020SBB.
Gurney, the industrial designer has contributed to approximately 100 micro projects internationally and across Australia over the past decade.
“Living at a small scale is often for those at a somewhat transient life stage, such as young people on the way up where the city is their playground, or those who are older and looking to downsize without compromising amenity. What the space highlights is that you don’t have to forego comfort,” Gurney said.
Designing small and smart will allow people to reduce their footprint and size down for a simpler more flexible life, while maintaining comfort.
“My conceptual focus for the project was to imbue a sense of beautility; creating something equal parts useful and beautiful. Its unconventional design affords a purposeful indication that the possibilities for compact urban living are limited only to one’s imagination.”
