Cities including San Francisco and Manhattan have seen a new class of apartment, known as “micro-apartments”, spring up and there is some speculation that this trend could soon be coming to Bangkok, reports local media. The reason these units are so popular is because of their cheap prices, which are usually hard to find in expensive metropolitan housing markets.
Some developers in the U.S.A. are building apartments that are under the minimum size of 27-37 square meters that is required by local governments. Some of the units being launched are only 3 meters wide and feature basic amenities like a bathroom and a small space. Developers have gotten around the regulations by including large common facility areas that usually contain a kitchen, laundry, and entertainment areas.
At the moment, small-sized apartments are easy to find in Bangkok with many units falling in the 20 to 30 square metres size range. However, the price for these units in prime Bangkok locations is becoming harder for the average resident to afford. This has forced property developers to try and figure out what type of project to build.
Many companies have opted to develop luxury projects, but this demographic can only absorb a limited supply since it is very niche in Thailand, according to The Nation. Developers are now investigating the feasibility of micro-living apartments similar to those being built in the U.S.A., however, since units in Bangkok are already small, this may not be a feasible trend since it could harm long-term liveability.
Developers will need to add more community features to their residential buildings by placing kitchens, gardens, and resting spaces outside of the units. This is would allow for more liveability while letting developers reduce unit sizes. In addition to this, unit features, like high ceilings and large windows, can make a room feel bigger than it is and provide residents with an improved living area.
Featured Image via sf.curbed.com
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