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The Global Village
SMALL URBAN HOUSING: The MINI LIVING URBAN CABIN.
INTRODUCING THE FIRST URBAN CABIN AT LONDON DESIGN FESTIVAL.
MINI sets about tackling an important issue in today’s metropolises with the construction of the Urban Cabin. Popular cities such as London, New York or Shanghai are facing overpopulation which has a direct impact on the housing supply. MINI LIVING faced in cooperation with local architects the challenge to create specifically adapted Urban Cabins for each of these metropolises, starting with London during London Design Festival. With a population of 8.8 million, demand is simply outstripping supply in London. Aesthetically, there is a desire to maintain London’s identity as we see some of the most diverse and iconic cities across the world blending into one. With the Urban Cabin MINI aims to address and reflect the need for space saving whilst maintaining a unique identity.
The Urban Cabin’s purpose is to create a house with limited space that is inspired by local surroundings; a cabin that blends into the landscape and illustrates London as a vibrant city that incorporates cultural influences from around the world. It mixes old and historical buildings and cultural sites with modern structures and innovation. This cabin’s surface on the outside is made from materials and patterns that reflect the surrounding buildings. The micro-library on the inside stands as a symbol for the historical richness of London while parts of the interior are modern elements. “With the concept we wanted to visualise London’s cultural differences and traditions, but also modern habits that are very typical for the city”, says Corinna Natter, Designer MINI LIVING.
The MINI LIVING Urban Cabin demonstrates how to creatively work with limited space. MINI LIVING believes that the creative use of space is key to finding new approaches for the cities we love. In a more and more generic designed world, we trust in turning spaces into places. Places that offer local characteristics and identity on various layers.” says Oke Hauser, Creative Lead MINI LIVING. Although the idea tackles the problem of housing supply it also encourages the creative process in people’s minds to make something special and unique out of something little.
In a more and more generic designed world, we trust in turning spaces into places.
The cabin’s interior design is based on very specific and cultural needs. The kitchen and microlibrary have been designed by local architect Sam Jacob, who implemented his vision on what it is that London might need. The local architect had two tasks: the first one is to design a kitchen, because we believe you can see cultural differences best in the kitchen. How people come together, what and how they cook. The second task is to think about what is really unique about or missing in their city or what they believe is a problem, like the decreasing use in public libraries, which local architect Sam Jacob detected as being an issue in London”, says Corinna Natter.
The cabin’s interior design is based on very specific and cultural needs.
The general idea behind the cabin is to help address the need to live in a constantly growing city without having to compromise on quality or a unique urban landscape. With its first representation at the London Design Festival MINI LIVING aims to inspire people to create their own personal lifestyle in the midst of the city they live in.
The next Urban Cabin will be revealed at A/D/O in October in New York, hosting events and workshops which will focus on the further development of the Urban Cabin into an inhabitable concept for major cities in 2018.
