Extra space

February 28, 2007 6:20 PM

This apartment is so cramped. I wish I could find a little extra space. (previously)
posted by caddis (22 comments total)

I would use this in an apartment up to and including 3 feet off the ground.
posted by DU at 6:23 PM on February 28, 2007

...plunges to certain death.
posted by kuujjuarapik at 6:24 PM on February 28, 2007

...off the Murphy Porch.
posted by kuujjuarapik at 6:26 PM on February 28, 2007

Cool. From a view to a room with a view.
posted by inconsequentialist at 6:30 PM on February 28, 2007

The gadget lover in me loves this, but couldn't you just, you know, build a permanent porch?
posted by brundlefly at 6:30 PM on February 28, 2007

The gadget lover in me loves this, but couldn't I just, you know, fall to my fat ass death?
posted by Roman Graves at 6:31 PM on February 28, 2007

Bloomframe? Looks more like Fall Down Go Boom Frame.
posted by tula at 6:32 PM on February 28, 2007

Murphy Porch^TM
posted by caddis at 6:37 PM on February 28, 2007

That's really fucking clever. But yeah, is there ever a need to retract a balcony? Why not have a permanent one?
posted by zardoz at 6:42 PM on February 28, 2007

At least you can link from this site toTastespotting. Edible baby cakes and chocolate bubble wrap! (previously here)
posted by inconsequentialist at 6:47 PM on February 28, 2007

Only useful on aesthetic grounds.
posted by BrotherCaine at 6:53 PM on February 28, 2007

I can't decide whether to mock it or applaud it's brilliance.
posted by ninjew at 6:58 PM on February 28, 2007

You lose half your window with the opaque floor. And a balcony is more sensible. But I want one anyway.
posted by LarryC at 7:13 PM on February 28, 2007

These guys have been making a skylite that's similar for quite a while. It makes a smaller "balcony" but it forms it's own roof.
posted by Benny Andajetz at 7:29 PM on February 28, 2007

I'd have to pull in the balcony stuff every time I wanted to close that window, which would add significant more clutter to the apartment. A permanent balcony with sliding door would be cheaper, safer, and more useful. This is pretty, but not good design.
posted by cubby at 7:44 PM on February 28, 2007

Neat in principle, but I also fear a sudden and most unaesthetically pleasing death.
posted by thomas j wise at 7:44 PM on February 28, 2007

I also fear a sudden and most unaesthetically pleasing death.

It could be aesthetically pleasing if you planned your fall ahead of time and had someone declare it "performance art."
posted by amyms at 8:15 PM on February 28, 2007

The Flies. Think Of The Flies.

At least there won't be any bees.
posted by CynicalKnight at 8:23 PM on February 28, 2007

I like it and hope that it makes a suitably cool "whooooooooosh" sound as it opens. I guess it isn't that practical but it is neat.
posted by fenriq at 9:02 PM on February 28, 2007

I guess this would give you more space if you installed it in the wall between your apartment and your neighbour's. But I bet he'd be pretty upset when his entertainment unit gets crushed by your indoor balcony. Actually, that might make an excellent Candid Camera episode.
posted by reformedjerk at 9:48 PM on February 28, 2007

It's like a giant cup-holder for your ass.
posted by Dizzy at 12:22 AM on March 1, 2007 [2 favorites]

Cantilevered balconies tend to be huge energy nosebleeds, especially in concrete buildings where the balcony floor is integral with the floor slab. Depending on the construction this unit could be more energy efficient.

More likely though this is useful where zoning regulations prohibit desired projection into a side/rear yard. Many bylaws are worded such that this, being a temporary intrusion would be permitted where a conventional balcony would not.

Also this unit might be able to be retrofitted in an existing building where it might not be economically possible to retrofit a cantilever. Think side wall running parallel to engineered joists or floor with radiant heat. You may have to do extensive structural work, all approved by an engineer, to add a cantilever where as this unit involves merely cutting a hole in the wall and possibly installing a header.
posted by Mitheral at 11:28 AM on March 1, 2007