Less is More
Curated by the Assemble Papers team, Less is More is a global survey of standout architecture and design for compact living and small spaces.
Big Messy Courtyard: Micro Yuan’er
April 5, 2018
Joanna Bayndrian
Joanna Bayndrian speaks with Zhang Ke of ZAO/standardarchitecture about Micro Yuan’er, a children’s library and arts centre in old Beijing. In a city that is rapidly urbanising, Micro Yuan'er has become a space for creativity and community
Share Yaraicho
March 1, 2018
Emily Wong
Crises are opportunities for rebuilding resilience. In the aftermath of the 2011 earthquake, the need to counter social isolation with close-knit communities gave the impetus to the first purpose-built share house in Japan. Emily Wong spoke to Satoko Shinohara of Spatial Design Studio about Share Yaraicho
5×4 Hayes Lane
May 19, 2017
Assemble Papers
5x4 Hayes Lane isn't the typical home you'd expect to find tucked in at the end of a narrow laneway in leafy East Melbourne. We step inside this pocket-sized project and speak to its owner, Ralph Alphonso, about his decision to stretch the project's small footprint of 20 square metres over four storeys, and about the challenges that arose during the construction of this extraordinary home
Compartment Studio
August 5, 2016
Assemble Papers
At just 36 square metres, this miniscule Darlinghurst studio was the ideal challenge for interior designer (and small footprint living enthusiast) Sarah Jamieson's first apartment project. Drawing on her background in fine arts and installation, Sarah renovated the studio – housed inside a 1929 art-deco building – with the goal of maximising space while remaining sensitive to its original form
Sawmill House
September 21, 2015
Eugenia Lim and Emily Wong
Balanced along the edge of a former gold mine quarry in Yackandandah, Victoria, Sawmill House is a poetic example of young Melbourne and Hobart-based studio Archier’s belief in open, culturally responsive design. Sawmill explores the adaptable reuse of a major by-product of the building industry – the thousands of tonnes of waste concrete that goes into landfill each year
Backyard Bungalows: Murray Barker
March 5, 2015
Ben Clement and Sarah Booth
Murray Barker's garage conversion is a nice note on which to wrap up our Backyard Bungalows series. To maximise his compact 18sqm space, he makes great use of the outdoor areas either side of it. Referencing Donovan Hill's D House, Murray has added windows and shutters that encourage interaction with the laneway and the life upon it—while still providing natural light and privacy when required
