With space being at a premium in most large cities these days, architects are having to think outside the box in order to maximize square footage within limited footprints. Prime example is Mini Tower One, a 3,500-square-foot rear addition and renovation of a multi-family residential building in Brooklyn that reimagines the concept of indoor/outdoor living. Designed by the award-winning interdisciplinary design studio MODU, this project not only expands living space by 30%, but also sets a new standard for flexible residential design.

Mini Tower One?s design philosophy centers around creating a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces. Each floor of the building is extended to include flexible areas that cater to a variety of activities, from living and entertaining to relaxing and enjoying the changing seasons. Key features such as the indoor terrace and all-season room can be enclosed or opened up, allowing residents to immerse themselves throughout the year, no matter the weather, all from the comfort of their home.
A unique example of incorporating biophilic elements indoors that goes beyond adding potted plants to the space is planting a tree right into the home, as seen above, where a tree is planted in the concrete floor. As it grows, the tree with continue sprouting up through the void created by the spiral staircase.

The project, which follows passive house principles, boasts a high-performance building envelope designed to minimize energy consumpt...