How do you maximize living space in increasingly small and expensive apartments that are being built in cities around the country? This stunningly illustrated book reveals how renowned architects — including Stephen Alton, SA Architects, David Hotson Architects, and Gary Schoemaker Architects — have solved that problem in their designs for small apartments and lofts in New York, San Fransisco, Boston, and other major US cities where residential square footage is at a premium. <P> These design solutions focus on innovative, multifunctional uses within small spaces: a dining area by night, an office by day; living rooms that morph into party spaces or media rooms; and free-standing closets that conceal everything from kitchens, to beds, to work stations. The projects exhibit excellence in design, along with innovative use of materials and construction methods. Each case study includes interior and exterior photography by some of the finest architectural photographers working today, accompanied by design drawings that include site plans, details, and floor plans.

"When you want to maximize living space, multi-tasking is key, as Trulove (Big Ideas for Small Spaces) shows in this sleek showcase of 18 well-designed small apartments in New York and elsewhere. A dining table doubles as a desk; a bedroom serves as an extension of the living room; and a freestanding storage and media unit also works as a room divider, separating the bedroom from the living area. Many of the recommendations in this heavily illustrated book pertain to architectural changes, not decorative ones (e.g., use a partial wall to separate the living and dining area from the kitchen; replace solid walls with translucent glass walls). However, some tried-and-true examples of universally useful space-savers (the ubiquitous Murphy bed, for example) are present, as well. The bulk of the featured apartments are modern in design, and while there are many fine illustrations of furniture and fixtures designed specifically for the spaces, the work does offer some general guidelines for making the most of small space (for example, make use of natural light, whether from a skylight or windows, even if there are few). Whether readers live in studios or small two-bedrooms, they'll come away from this handsome book with plenty of inspiration. " Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

"When you want to maximize living space, multi-tasking is key, as Trulove (Big Ideas for Small Spaces) shows in this sleek showcase of 18 well-designed small apartments in New York and elsewhere. A dining table doubles as a desk; a bedroom serves as an extension of the living room; and a freestanding storage and media unit also works as a room divider, separating the bedroom from the living area. Many of the recommendations in this heavily illustrated book pertain to architectural changes, not decorative ones (e.g., use a partial wall to separate the living and dining area from the kitchen; replace solid walls with translucent glass walls). However, some tried-and-true examples of universally useful space-savers (the ubiquitous Murphy bed, for example) are present, as well. The bulk of the featured apartments are modern in design, and while there are many fine illustrations of furniture and fixtures designed specifically for the spaces, the work does offer some general guidelines for making the most of small space (for example, use natural light, whether from a skylight or windows, even if there are few). Whether readers live in studios or small two-bedrooms, they'll come away from this handsome book with plenty of inspiration. " Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

This stunningly illustrated book reveals how renowned architects create innovative, multifunctional solutions to maximize small spaces.

James Grayson Trulove is an author, publisher, and editor of books in the subjects of architecture, landscape architecture, and garden design. His recent books include 25 Apartments and Lofts Under 2500 Square Feet, New Sustainable Homes, and The Modern Townhouse.