Ever since Mayor Bloomberg initiated his plan for constructing “Micro-Unit” apartments this past summer, designers have been coming up with ingenious solutions to living in small spaces, a familiar challenge for New Yorkers. A competition to come up with innovative micro-apartments, sponsored by the city, was the inspiration for “Making Room: New Models for Housing New Yorkers,” opening January 23 at the Museum of the City of New York. Donald Albrecht, the museum curator for the show explained that “the projects illustrate the response to the changing demographics of the city. For instance, in twenty years there will be 600,000 more people living in New York City, and currently only 18 percent are nuclear families.” This photo of a shimmering 144-square-foot studio in Hong Kong designed by architect Gary Chang is included in the show. Photo: Courtesy of the Museum of the City of New York
It can also function as a dining room when the Murphy bed is back in couch mode. The rolling table is designed by Key Cucine and available at Resource Furniture and the folding chairs are also from Resource Furniture. Photo: John Halpern/Courtesy of the Museum of the City of New York
Milligram, a model from Japan designed by Tomoyuki Utsumi of Milligram Studio, illustrates compact living in a 280-square-foot space where going about your business out in the open is required. Photo: Courtesy of the Museum of the City of New York
