Where Every Centimeter Counts: How Tiny Bathrooms Inform Spatial Design

Are living spaces getting smaller? As cities densify and the global population continues its steady migration toward urban centers—projected to reach around 70% by 2050—domestic space is becoming increasingly compressed. Rising land prices, high construction costs, and a surge in single-person households push developers toward smaller units and tighter floor plans. At the same time, cultural shifts toward resource efficiency and minimal living support this move. Shrinking living spaces require fewer materials, consume less energy, and encourage people to live closer to their means.

From Tokyo’s modular micro-living to Hong Kong’s high-density vertical housing, and Berlin’s adaptive-reuse apartments, architects have long demonstrated that small spaces can be deeply livable when every centimeter is treated with care. These compact spaces force a reconsideration of how space is organized. How can a space of only a few square meters feel generous, intentional, and complete? As Paola Bagna, a Berlin-based architect who specializes in adaptive-reuse projects and micro-living designs, explains:

Read more via Archdaily