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compact” market segment in the U.S., offering all the ameni-
ties and creature comforts of their larger vehicles in premi-
um, but smaller, product.
IKEA is showing a corporate understanding and demon-
stration of livability of smaller units in its mockup displays of
apartments as small as 290 square feet, and really conveying
this to its customers.
Moving back into their parents’ home through the reces-
sion has given many millennials a new appreciation of what
really is necessary, yet comfortable to live in, in terms of size.
Much more emphasis is given to public spaces and amenities
in apartment projects, as an extended living room, office, and
space to socialize with fellow renters.
Lines between leisure and work are becoming ever more
blurred, which has uncovered an enlightened mindset as to
the importance of a balanced life. And transition frommate-
rial ownership to service demand continues to be strong. Take,
for example, transportation: The interest lies not in owning
the means of transportation (a car), but rather the service of
being transported from Point A to Point B, seeking the fastest,
most convenient and most cost-effective option.
In this context, JG Johnson Architects had the opportunity
to be the architect and interior design firm for the very first
micro-housing project in Denver. Turntable Studios is a 179-
unit apartment project, repurposing the old VQ hotel, known
for its iconic circular building, into micro apartments.
The conversion of the pre-existing 1960s prototype hotel al-
lows for some leniency regarding accessibility requirements,
which is one of the challenges when attempting to design
more compact units. A difficult achievement was to fit a full
kitchen and bath into the space that used to be the hotel
bathroom. The studio units, at 335 square feet apiece, even al-
low for a separate bed niche/bedroom that can be cordoned
off with a curtain. Included is a large mirror door wardrobe,
shelving, a seating area in the living space and a little counter
seat/work desk as an extension of the kitchen counter. The
bathroom is optimized by using a compact vanity unit that
includes under-counter storage, and a mirror cabinet above.
In a cost-savings effort, the existing bathtubs were main-
tained in place and refinished. The location of the project in
the Jefferson Park neighborhood – with the Highlands adja-
cent – is very convenient and near to downtown and Inter-
state 25, but the developers (Nichols Partnership and Capital
Realty Group) focused specifically on maintaining an attain-
able monthly rent price point below $1,000.
The biggest improvement on the exterior, with a significant
impact on the interior unit feel, was to replace the old glazing
and storefront system with new floor-to-ceiling fenestration,
