The complete technical guide to design a 40 m² and a 60 m² two-room apartment: design criteria, reference standards and examples to download
In this post we will show you how to design a two-room apartment. We’ll provide a guide with layouts rules, dimension criteria and some national regulatory requirements, paying special attention to the most common types of 1-bedroom apartments (40 and 60 m²).
The project with relating technical drawings will be further described in detail.
Throughout the article, you’ll have also have the opportunity to download the whole project of:
- a 40 m² two-room apartment
- a 60 m² two-room apartment
60 m² two-room apartment rendering made with Edificius
Download and try Edificius, the 3D architectural BIM design software, for free!
A house of small dimensions involves at least two project’s basic choices:
- a ‘studio apartment model’, with open spaces and interchangeable functions (read the article ‘40 square meter studio apartment plan: criteria and examples ready for download‘);
- distinct environments and functions, overcoming the limits of reduced sizes, with living and sleeping areas occupying independent rooms.
This second solution is what better defines the 1-bedroom apartment.
Two-room apartment definition
The two-room apartment is a type of residential property that has two rooms and services: the sleeping area, with a bedroom, and a living room / kitchen.
60 m² two-room apartment-floor plan
Commonly, this type of housing is suitable for one person or a couple, given the lack of a second bedroom.
Two-room apartment project, dimension requirements, national and international standards
Each country defines minimum living requirements per apartment and/or room, in relation to the number of residents. In some cases, these regulations are implemented at national level, while in others, on regional, district or even municipal levels, such as in the United States or in Spain.
Let’s see some examples.
Examples of minimum areas, minimum heights and lighting/ventilation rate according to national or local standards
Spain – Madrid
- 38 m² two-room apartment
- 25 m² studio apartment
- 6 m² single bedded room
- 10 m² double bedded room
- 10 m²living room
- 2,50 mminimum height
- Opening window area > 12% of total floor area
- Natural ventilation surface > 8% of total floor area
Download the COMPENDIO DE LAS NORMAS URBANÍSTICAS of Madrid
Brazil
- 6,60 m² single bedded room
- 7,50 m² double bedded room
- 8,60 m² living room
- 2,50 m² bathroom
- 2,50 m minimum height
- 2,30 m bathroom and pantry minimum height
- Opening window area > 10% of total floor area
- Natural ventilation surface > 5% of total floor area
Download the architects’ handbook relating to Brazilian standards ABNT NBR 15.575
United States – New York City
- 150 ft² (14 m²) studio apartment
- 80 ft² (7,5 m²) bedroom
- 8 ft (2,43 m) minimum height
- Natural ventilation surface > 5% of total floor area
Access the New York City 2014 Construction Code
United Kingdom
- 70 sq/ft (6,5 m²) single bedded room
- 110 sq/ft (10,20 m² ) 2 people bedroom
- 160 sq/ft (15 m²) living room
- 7 ft. 6 in. (2,30 m) minimum height
- Opening window area > min 5% – max 25% of total floor area
- Natural ventilation surface > 5% of total floor area
Download the Housing Act 1985 with provisions of accomodation requirements
40 m² two-room apartment project example with description, DWG resources and 3D model
This project has been studied in order to optimize spaces, given the limited size available.
The apartment floor plan is rectangular, with the longest side of approximately 8.60 m and the shortest side of 5.70 m and it is divided into living and sleeping area.
40 m² two-room apartment – floor plan
The entrance is located on one of the main sides. You can enter directly into the living room that forms the core unit of the house. The living room occupies approximately 18 m², it is configured as a totally open space and includes both the kitchenette and the living room for a functional distribution of spaces. The door opening is located on the smaller side leading to the sleeping and service areas.
The hallway that connects the 3 rooms occupies as little space as possible, in order to respect the minimum size of living room and bedroom.
All connection spaces are equipped with cabinets, so as to optimize the use of passage areas. All areas are also equipped with openings that comply with the lighting-ventilation ratios required by standards.
Modern and functional furnishings together with neutral and bright colours materials have been chosen to improve the quality of spaces.
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Download the 3D BIM model (.edf file) of the 40 m² two-room apartment project
Download the project drawing DWGs
Example of a 60 m² two-room apartment project with description, available with DWG project drawings and 3D model download
The accommodation has a rectangular surface of about 60 m², with the longest side of 10.00 m and the shortest side of 6.00 m.
Rooms are arranged according to a planimetric layout that can be set with a series of interconnected rectangles. The service areas and hallways are located along the two adjacent sides of the floor plan rectangle.
The entrance to the accommodation is separated from the rest of the living space by a “partition wall” that prevents those who enter to have an immediate and complete view of the living room and kitchenette. From the entrance you can access the living room, through the two side entrances next to the “partition wall“, while you can enter the sleeping area and services through a door on the right side of the entrance.
The living room is strongly characterized by a contrast of white bricks and brown walls and by a false ceiling that starts from the entrance and divides the room in two. The use of colours helps to create movement within a single open space accommodating a kitchenette, the dining and living rooms.
The hallway leads to the main bathroom and 14 m² bedroom, with adjoining walk-in closet and private bathroom.
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Download the 3D BIM model (.edf file) of the 60 m² two-room apartment project
Download the DWGs of the project drawings
