Dezeen Magazine

Apartment in Paris by Schemaa features a staircase made of cupboards

An alternating-tread staircase doubles as storage cupboards in this tiny Paris apartment by French architects Schemaa (+ slideshow).

Schema apartment in Paris

Schemaa had to maximise space in the small apartment, so combined the wooden staircase with storage cabinets and drawers.

Cupboards of different heights are concealed by doors measuring the same width as the stair treads.

Schema apartment in Paris

The feature is located inside a room that acts as both dining and living areas, opposite kitchen units fronted with the same wood.

Schema apartment in Paris

More shelves are positioned at the bottom of the staircase, creating almost a full wall of storage to keep the room free of clutter.

Schema apartment in Paris

The dining table can be dismantled so its legs mount onto hooks on the wall and the surface can be mounted up between the windows.

Schema apartment in Paris

Behind the units sits a bathroom, accessed from the small entrance space.

Schema apartment in Paris

Upstairs is an attic bedroom, with a low bed positioned under the sloping ceiling, which features exposed wooden beams and roof windows.

Schema apartment in Paris

A dressing room is situated behind the bed, with furniture fitted into the tight corners.

Schema apartment in Paris

Orange is used throughout the apartment in accents including coat hooks in the entrance, the tiling behind the kitchen surface, the dining stools and the lighting in front of the staircase.

Schema apartment in Paris

Combing a staircase with storage space is becoming a common way to save space in small homes, and provide a feature in minimal interiors.

Schema apartment in Paris

Other examples include a desk, storage space and shelving integrated into the vertical circulation of a Dutch house, and combined staircase and bookshelf in a Swiss apartment.

Schema apartment in Paris
Exploded axonometric diagram – click for larger image
Schema apartment in Paris
Ground floor plan – click for larger image
Schema apartment in Paris
First floor plan – click for larger image
Schema apartment in Paris
Cross section – click for larger image
Schema apartment in Paris
Cross section – click for larger image