4 ms·
I agree, but the European apartments also typically have much more practical use of space. The U.S. condo market in particular seems aimed at single people or c
by _delirium 10y ago
I agree, but the European apartments also typically have much more practical use of space. The U.S. condo market in particular seems aimed at single people or couples who want to have cocktail parties all the time, followed by retreating to their luxurious master bedroom suite for a romantic evening. Or at least imagine that they would, so are looking for a place that looks impressive for that use. The focus is on big, airy open spaces (open-plan living/dining/kitchen areas), plus a large master bedroom suite with attached master bathroom, walk-in closets, etc.
One reason Americans find it hard to imagine raising a family in an 900 sq ft (85 m^2) unit is that if you design it this way, it really isn't a lot of space for a family, or at least not space laid out in a useful way for a family. That much space would typically be only a 1-bd in SF or one of the newer NYC buildings (maybe even a studio). While in much of Europe it'd be a 2-bd, or 3-bd, and even compared to American 2-bds the space would be laid out more practically (e.g. less space devoted to those giant bathrooms and walk-in closets).
- yardie 10y agoI'm about to move into a postwar apartment, 900sqft, in Miami. It is 250sqft smaller than my 90s built hi-rise apartment. What I noticed is the ceiling is higher and the windows are larger. It just feels like a much larger, brighter space. I guess at some point something changed. The layout of houses in the US just lost the ability to be functional and tasteful. I did lose the walk-in closet, dual vanity sinks, gift wrapping room, and letter writing room (joking on the last 2).
- sarah2079 10y agoI was about to make the same comment. It's amazing how much the layout affects the usability of the space. I hate, hate, hate those huge master bathrooms and walk in closets because they eat space. Also common where I am: large hallways and entryways that could have been part of a room instead, and an open seating area at the top of the stairs. (What is that even for? Why not just make it an enclosed office. I don't want to hang out on a couch at the top of a stairway). Older 1300 sq ft houses often feel just as spacious as new construction that is 2000 sq ft because they have no wasted space.
- Naritai 10y agoHonest question: do you know of examples of plans/layout diagrams of family apartments in Europe? I'd love to see how they compare.
- yardie 10y agoHere[0] is the layout for a typical F4 apartment near my area in Paris. This posting just has the floorplan and not interior shots. It's 4 rooms, 2 bedrooms, a salon, and dining. These are middle class, 150 y.o. apartments, not the shining chrome and glass architect wankfests that are popular now. [0] https://www.century21.fr/trouver_logement/detail/1339155193/?came_from=/annonces/achat-appartement/cp-75018/s-50-/st-0-/b-0-540000/p-2-3-4-5/page-1/ https://www.century21.fr/trouver_logement/detail/1339155193/...