antonym loft
Location: Torrance, CA
Size: 170 sq ft
Team: Hannah Pae, Landscape
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Carving out 170 sf from a detached garage and lofting it created double the usuable area to live and work for Antonym founder Monica Chang. The sleeping quarters above is equipped with a projector and drop-down screen and below is Antonym’s office which converts into a flex space where occasionally a yoga mat gets rolled out and a hammock hung up. Repurposed Ikea bed slats are used for the loft guardrail and a DIY wall of modular plywood shelves and cabinets display books and hide clutter. A leftover patch of dirt between the main house and garage became an unexpected opportunity to expand the livable space outside with a climbing wall and lounge area. This project was featured in Dwell and nominated for Dwell’s 2021 Design Awards, Small Spaces Category.
Size: 170 sq ft
Team: Hannah Pae, Landscape
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/ca1748ea372013f7b6ae1a5601f516883b8a1486f5f0501a09466609a3d99797/021121_Antonym_pattern_web-21.png)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/2c1a864d1c8d5806965d3fde18f8d794423e22c1b7ca4028c4cbc9dfac2b9296/021121_Antonym_pattern_web-23.png)
Carving out 170 sf from a detached garage and lofting it created double the usuable area to live and work for Antonym founder Monica Chang. The sleeping quarters above is equipped with a projector and drop-down screen and below is Antonym’s office which converts into a flex space where occasionally a yoga mat gets rolled out and a hammock hung up. Repurposed Ikea bed slats are used for the loft guardrail and a DIY wall of modular plywood shelves and cabinets display books and hide clutter. A leftover patch of dirt between the main house and garage became an unexpected opportunity to expand the livable space outside with a climbing wall and lounge area. This project was featured in Dwell and nominated for Dwell’s 2021 Design Awards, Small Spaces Category.
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/23bbb1be85e1069c7174fd0238a1131c20405cf660d7ada44f8f2a1275ce7410/antonym_Torrance_Climbing-Wall.jpg)
![We collaborated with landscape designer Hannah Pae who challenged our notion that activities should be delineated as separate and distinct. She pushed for a more informal flow between areas of play and relaxation. This design approach imparts both a feeling of spaciousness and intimacy within the 10-foot wide space.](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/5e85a89cba37338b7584cc3ec9541e7e50faf3b253a6130ab6955e2ec1b2300d/antonym_Torrance_Exterior.jpg)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/42ec16184c150e96778ca3945eefdea5ece12c171852a1ccdbb3c6ee88d5c408/antonym_Torrance_Her-Side.jpg)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/a5a21a5ecc124f0da94ab77a6e909e185a4f2e40232bf323be3c56d038c924bb/antonym_Torrance_Interior.jpg)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/6bd97d1d04119835725339543e9b0cf728c72c4ff3fd08bcad00a3b40f27a0c6/antonym_Torrance_His-Side.jpg)
![The space underneath the loft is anchored by a wall of birch veneer plywood shelves and cabinets, assembled on a budget-friendly track and bracket system, and spray painted for a custom look. At the end of a work day, the foldable desk makes way for a more comfortable setup.](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/095507ba0f5ad2327ad6294aae5677d54d185e7943b93bf7eab43e5b4c2397d8/antonym_Torrance_Hammock.jpg)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/3953c7b80ded4af1a7b8ce5abaedf2b61cfbdb3ff1758335e3603d9ddb5fdeff/antonym_Torrance_Storage.gif)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/2f9fd890b593fb412cc451727a6663ba6ce7afcebdb9879881f19c623c765cf1/antonym_Torrance_Loft.jpg)