Space-saving innovations are nothing new—Murphy beds, folding desks, integrated storage, and multitasking furnishings have long been staples of tiny home design. Recently, however, Spanish architecture practice Enorme Studio has combined all these elements with robotics to create Beyome, a new system for flexible living in tight urban spaces.
The company name—Beyome—is a contraction of “beyond home.” “We aim to go beyond a traditional home to turn it into a flexible space adapted to our contemporary lifestyle,” says Enorme Studio cofounder Carmelo Rodriguez.
Enorme Studio began experimenting with mobile furniture in small apartment renovations more than five years ago, and the team quickly began to think about how the same concept could be applied at a larger scale. Two years ago, they approached Spanish construction company Project Consortium to develop a robotic system capable of transforming interior architecture at at moment’s notice.
Beyome is a collaboration between designers Enorme Studio, manufacturers Project Consortium, and investment group Xeito. The system features typical space-saving initiatives—such as wall beds—integrated into moving partitions that can be reconfigured to change the floor plan.
When the bed is folded up into the partition, a desk can be folded down to transform the bedroom into a study. Storage is integrated into each moveable partition to reduce clutter and facilitate clear floor space when reconfiguring the plan.
“We are living at a time when there is a lack of space in all major cities,” says Enorme Studio cofounder Carmelo Rodriguez. “Our apartments are getting smaller and more expensive, so we need systems that help us to optimize the space. Our main slogan is: ‘Living Big in Flexible Spaces.’”
Beyome is available in three different finishes ranging from economical white melamine to premium natural timber. The system, shown here in timber, includes clever storage solutions with integrated seating.
The partitions are also available with either manual or robotic maneuverability—the manual operation is a more economic range than the premium automated range, which can be operated via a phone app.
The system comprises a series of rotating and sliding walls, which can be thought of as enormous pieces of furniture. The partitions can be moved, either robotically or manually, to divide the interior into different configurations, or pushed to the perimeter to completely open the space up. Various functional elements—such as Murphy beds, folding desks, and dining tables—are integrated into each piece.
“The robotic Beyome system can be activated using a mobile phone app and even linked to voice assistants like Alexa,” says Rodriguez. “With a simple order, you can transform a two-bedroom home into a loft where 80% of the space is a large party room.”
The moveable architectural partitions allow residents to easily change the layout of their home—including the size and function of different spaces. Beyome claims that the modular system can be used in almost 90% of existing apartments.
Of course, this all comes at a cost. Rodriguez estimates that renovating an apartment using the Beyome system would cost 25% to 50% more than a conventional renovation. Yet, he is adamant that the system has the potential to add value to a property, and he believes it will prove popular with three different types of clients: renters who want to improve the performance of their space, homeowners who want to also add value to their home, and developers who want to make small spaces more habitable.
The partitions are moved using guiding tracks in the ceiling. In this apartment, when the partition with the television is moved to the rear, the space becomes a large living room adjacent to the kitchen.
When the partition is moved forwards and the dining table is folded down, the space transforms into a cozy dining room.
“The system improves quality of life for people, whether they own or rent their home,” he says. “It allows you to double the surface of a house or apartment, thus increasing its value.” He does concede that one of the biggest challenges the company faces is that “the world of real estate is often conservative.”
Some elements remain fixed—for example, the corner storage unit, which appears to be a part of the wall when the television partition is aligned with it.
When the television partition is moved to enlarge the space, the storage element becomes a free-standing unit that helps to define the space.
While the idea of a home that can transform at the flick of a switch is alluring, the everyday practicalities of doing so raise questions around how often the technology would actually be employed. There has, however, already been interest. Beyome has completed several private projects for homeowners, and the firm is currently working with several investment funds to install the system in build-to-rent apartments and various coliving spaces.
BEYOME dedicated much time to resolving safety issues associated with modular and moveable furniture, and the anti-trapping designs have been fully tested.
https://www.dwell.com/article/beyome-enorme-studio-robotic-transforming-tiny-apartment-0a18cbb8
