In dense, urban areas where rents are expensive, it’s not unusual to find shared living arrangements such as having roommates or an unmarried couple cohabitating together. What’s less common is two couples living together to split rent four ways or even buying house together, but it’s not unheard of. In Barcelona, Spain, Mike Davies of Studio P10 and Miguel Angel and Elodie Grammont of Miel Architects collaborated in renovating an existing single family apartment into a 700-square-foot live/work space, intended for two singles or even two couples to inhabit simultaneously. Check out the video tour of this intriguing shared loft via Fair Companies:

© Studio P10 / Miel Architects

According to the designers, Salva46’s layout is an “experiment in flexible coexistence” that responds to the increasingly “nomadic lifestyle of the 21st century.”

© Studio P10 / Miel Architects
© Studio P10 / Miel Architects
© Studio P10 / Miel Architects

The team transformed an old, partitioned-up apartment into a more open and modern layout that features a common area of entry, kitchen and dining area. But to either side of this shared space are two independent, private areas that each have their own bed, bathroom, sitting area, and charming loft for a lounge or extra sleeping space, to increase the overall square footage. Each has its distinct character, as one can see in the photos of one side:

© Studio P10 / Miel Architects
© Studio P10 / Miel Architects
© Studio P10 / Miel Architects

Here are images of the other side.

© Studio P10 / Miel Architects
© Studio P10 / Miel Architects

As you can see in the video and the images of each side, it feels quite spacious, and according to the designers, one of the lofts even has the potential to expand and house a one-child family (we would imagine a corresponding decrease in couple intimacy, however). Added for extra privacy, each of these sides has their own semi-translucent, secure door, plus another wooden door for extra soundproofing. Maintaining natural daylighting throughout the apartment was paramount, as well as balancing the two private spaces, say the designers:

The Premise [of the design]: the balance of privacy. During the day each inhabitant can enclose and secure their space without blocking the traverse of natural light. While during the night, both can isolate and cocoon the units by sliding the solid doors. The 3.40m [11-foot] height funnels energy to the upper levels with two multipurpose mezzanines levitating over the beds. Channeling natural light into the shower and perhaps the odd wayward glance from above.

The kitchen was done with a lot of recycled materials and fixtures, while original details, like the apartment’s old windows and patterned floor tiles, were kept to preserve its character.

© Studio P10 / Miel Architects
© Studio P10 / Miel Architects

Though it’s not for everyone, the micro-apartment market is nevertheless growing, and one can certainly imagine two roommates living comfortably in a place such as this, and with two independent private spaces, two couples wouldn’t feel too cramped either. More over at Studio P10 and Miel Architects and Fair Companies.