Living in a Box by ORA: Smart Design Transforms a 36 m² Apartment into a Functional Family Retreat in Prague

In the heart of Prague, the Czech architecture studio ORA (Original Regional Architecture) has masterfully redefined compact living with their innovative project, Living in a Box. This intelligently designed micro-apartment—measuring just 36 m²—is a testament to how minimal space can still offer maximum comfort, functionality, and aesthetic harmony, even for a family of four.

Compact Living, Clever Layout

Originally part of a larger apartment, the current unit emerged from a developer-led subdivision that initially proposed a layout of narrow, partitioned rooms. When ORA joined the project during the construction phase, the architects eliminated the cluttered layout and reimagined the space as an open studio apartment. The only separate room is the bathroom, allowing the rest of the space to remain fluid and adaptable.

This intervention was guided by a core principle: movement defines comfort. The central open zone serves multiple functions and includes a table and chairs. When not in use, the chairs can be stacked and the table shifted aside, creating a space large enough for stretching and relaxation—a simple but impactful metric the architects used to prevent any feeling of confinement.

Inspired by History: The Box Bed Reimagined

Sleeping arrangements take inspiration from medieval box beds, designed to be private, cozy, and multifunctional. The parents’ bed is discreetly tucked between two shelving units, featuring a flip door at the foot to offer more legroom or visual openness when needed.

Meanwhile, the children’s sleeping area is creatively designed within a two-level wooden box. The lower level acts as a sofa by day and a bed by night, while the upper bed is hidden behind a small door—offering both playfulness and privacy. This volume is wrapped in oak slats, which extend organically into the built-in wall unit and bathroom partition, creating a continuous and unified aesthetic.

Material as Atmosphere: Oak as a Narrative Tool

The entire apartment is wrapped in solid oak, but each functional zone is subtly distinguished through varying wood finishes. The bright kitchen evokes the freshness of morning light, the clear lacquered living area reflects daytime transparency, and the dark-stained sleeping quarters signal rest and retreat.

Mirrors strategically placed behind the kitchen visually expand the room, enhancing the sense of space without adding physical volume. Doors that reach all the way to the ceiling—especially in the bathroom—help maintain the clean lines of the built-in furniture, ensuring visual calm and cohesion.

A Family Retreat in the City

Though modest in size, Living in a Box was designed as a weekend apartment, not a full-time residence. Still, its success lies in the fact that it comfortably accommodates four people without ever feeling cramped. Every element of the design was considered to maximize flexibility, efficiency, and livability, turning this compact flat into a warm, playful, and highly functional urban retreat.

All the photographs are works of BoysPlayNice