30/09/2026
This apartment was designed for a family of three, plus their furry fourth member, in a loft located within a former newspaper printing warehouse. The family wanted to preserve the openness and character of the original loft while maximizing its functionality, creating dedicated spaces for sleeping, working, playing, and storing the many things that come with everyday life. Both parents work in the film and photography industries, which meant accommodating a significant amount of equipment was essential. To address this challenge, ALAO | architecture & interior design Design looked to the traditional Dutch “bedsteden”, built-in bed boxes that combine sleeping quarters with storage and other functions as a precedent. The result is a single, expansive millwork installation that functions like a 3D puzzle, choreographing the family’s diverse needs within one continuous architectural element. Sleeping, working, playing, and storage are carefully integrated into the structure, with each member of the family, and even their dog given a distinct space carved into the box. The design transforms what could have been a series of competing functions into a cohesive, flexible landscape that preserves the openness of the loft while giving every part of family life a place of its own. 📸 Kurt Arnold
