Garden Studio: a 59 m² minimalist retreat in the Netherlands
- Studio: Studio Abacaxi
- Photography: Aiste Rakauskaite
The Garden Studio project was born in Bergen (The Netherlands) in response to a young couple who needed a versatile space to work and receive guests. With just 59 m², Studio Abacaxi designs an efficient structure: a therapeutic entrance, a central core with kitchen and bathroom, and two main spaces that alternate use according to need – office, living room, bedroom or study.
The geometry is simple and honest. The minimalist floor plan makes it possible to take advantage of every centimeter without overloading the space, with integrated furniture, folding staircase and folding bed that multiply the possibilities of use without sacrificing spatial clarity.
Wood and functionality, without ornamentation
The structure rests on a concrete slab, but the envelope and the interior are made entirely of wood – exposed wood, birch plywood joinery – which reinforces the project’s sustainable vocation.
The interior seeks a light and serene atmosphere: continuous surfaces, discreet carpentry and a modular design that adapts the space to different functions without the need for demolition or additional construction. The result is a domestic, intimate, efficient shelter.
Connection to the garden: indoor-outdoor blurring
The main façade is resolved with a large continuous window over the width of the studio, complemented by a sliding door. This glazed envelope completely opens up the space to the garden, allowing the landscape to become part of the interior. The transition feels natural, and the barrier between inside and outside loses its rigidity.
When autumn tints the trees or the afternoon bathes the lawn, the house does not compete: it dialogues. The interior wood, the sifted light that enters and the continuity of the floor reinforce this leisurely, comfortable and human connection with the plant environment.
Everyday life in reduced size
Garden Studio does not seek to be an architectural showcase, but a real home -sparse in meters, rich in use-. Its configuration allows to work, sleep, rest, live together or receive visitors with dignity. The well-resolved technical core (kitchen, bathroom) and spatial versatility offer a complete home in a compact format.
This project demonstrates that it is not necessary to have a large surface area to achieve comfort and functionality: design intelligence and material honesty are enough to house a complete -and sustainable- life.
