The BMW brand may be known for automobiles first and foremost, but the venerable German company's 'Mini' division is looking to well and truly expand its expertise into other areas, with living spaces one of them as best exemplified by the unveiling of the brand-new Mini Living Urban Cabin micro-apartment concept in Los Angeles.
This tiny living concept makes use of a dual-module design as well as a hanging garden and liberal use of perforation in order to enhance airiness and light, while space-saving design features allow for flexible and comfortable living in a small space.
Part of a project that involves the creation of cabins that take into account the features of specific world cities, the Mini Living Urban Cabin micro-apartment concept appears to herald the entry of big-name design experts into a space that has tended to be occupied by smaller players.
Malleable Micro-Apartment Concepts
The 'Mini Living Urban Cabin' Was Conceived By BMW Designers
Trend Themes
1. Micro-apartment Living - The Mini Living Urban Cabin concept showcases how space-saving design can enhance livability in a small space, signaling to real estate developers the market potential of innovative micro-apartments.
2. Sustainable Design - The hanging garden and liberal use of perforation in the Mini Living Urban Cabin demonstrate the potential for incorporating environmental sustainability principles into urban design, presenting opportunities for sustainable living ventures or green building materials manufacturers.
3. Cross-industry Collaboration - Involving BMW and Mini designers in the creation of micro-apartments shows the growing trend of cross-industry collaboration and knowledge transfer, which could lead to disruptive innovations in design and architecture.
Industry Implications
1. Real Estate Development - Real estate developers can leverage the popularity of small-format living spaces to create compact and innovative solutions for urban dwellers.
2. Sustainable Living - The Mini Living Urban Cabin design highlights how sustainable living can be integrated into small spaces, appealing to environmentally conscious consumers and companies interested in manufacturing eco-friendly products.
3. Automotive Design and Manufacturing - BMW and Mini's foray into micro-apartment design suggests that the automotive industry may have untapped resources for innovative architecture and engineering, presenting new opportunities for automotive research and development.