Meow Meow

Let’s be real: living in a city, whether it’s London, Toronto, or New York, usually means making a tough choice. You want that urban buzz, that energy, but you often sacrifice space, right? Or you get more room and end up way out in the sticks. But what if you didn’t have to pick? What if you could dive headfirst into a vibrant community, yet still lock the door to your own personal sanctuary that actually feels big?

That’s exactly what Yuko, Australia’s first co-living brand, is delivering in Sydney. They’re not just building apartments; they’re crafting a whole new way to live, inspired by the modernist vision – think of Le Corbusier’s famous line, “the house as a machine for living”. Yuko’s mission? Give people that vital sense of community while making damn sure they keep their private space.

The project itself is a masterclass in working within constraints. This building was originally going up as a boarding house, and a good chunk of it was already laid out – bathrooms, kitchens, walls, you name it, they were set. The challenge for the designers was to carve out 33 distinct units within those existing shells. The unit we’re highlighting? It’s a lean, mean 19 square meters (that’s about 205 sq ft) of internal space, but it’s complemented by a sweet 6-square-meter balcony that brings the outdoors in.

The Game-Changing Play: Elevate Everything

The core idea for these apartments was simple but revolutionary: maximum flexibility. They wanted to create the biggest “free space” possible where you could work, entertain, kick back, or yeah, even dance in your own pad. How’d they pull it off in such a compact footprint? They raised the bed. That’s it. Almost everything else – except your private bathroom and kitchenette – got tucked away underneath that queen-size bed.

Imagine this: you’ve got a full-size wardrobe, a dining table, and a comfy sofa – all custom-designed to disappear neatly under your sleeping area. The sofa itself is on casters, so you can pull it out, place it anywhere, and when you sit down, it automatically locks in place. It’s an ergonomically designed two-seater, perfect for binging your favorite show. And when you’re done, tracks guide it straight back into its hiding spot. Even the steps leading up to the elevated bed double as clever storage drawers. The wardrobe is smartly divided, with a third for shelving and the rest for hanging clothes, even dropping low enough for shoe storage.

Beyond the big hidden pieces, they sweated the small stuff. Paneling defines the “bedroom” area, creating a cozy feel and a handy ledge. Hooks are strategically placed to hang cushions or straps, keeping your floor space clear. Want to personalize the place? They even designed a custom “one unit” combining a shelf, hooks, and a pin board so you can truly make it your own. And for anyone working from home, there’s a bookshelf that transforms into a compact desk without you having to move a single book – instant workspace, ready when you are.

Community, But On Your Terms

Each unit comes with a small kitchenette for those quick meals. But if you’re planning a bigger feast or want to host a gathering, there’s a massive, semi-commercial kitchen in the communal room you can use. Every unit has its own compact bathroom, too, with communal laundry facilities conveniently located on the ground floor.

This isn’t about squeezing people into boxes. It’s about empowering them. The designers didn’t have one specific type of resident in mind, and that’s why everything is movable and adaptable. It means you’re living in a smaller physical space, sure, but it’s a space designed to suit you and give you true freedom. It’s a powerful echo of those modernist architects who aimed to solve real-world problems in the most functional and beautiful ways possible. And frankly, that’s a level of intelligent design we could all use a lot more of in our lives.