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The Minimum Flat concept was pioneered by a visionary modernist architect, Wells Coats in 1931. Drawing inspiration from several areas, including the Bauhouse movement, his idea focused on creating small, functional living spaces designed to meet the essential needs of ordinary everyday people. The minimum flat concept rejected traditional ornamentation in architecture and instead prioritised aesthetics, simplicity, modularity, economy of space and modern technology. Key features of Wells Coates’ minimum flat concept included:

Compact design: Every element of the flat was optimised for space-saving, with built in furniture that had multipurpose features.

Efficient layout: Rooms were arranged to ensure functional flow, with clear separations between living, sleeping, and cooking areas.

Modern materials and construction: Coates used cutting-edge techniques and materials to create light, affordable, and mass-producible units.

Social housing focus: The concept was intended to address the housing shortage in post-war Britain and provide a dignified solution for working-class families.

One notable example of his work in this area is the Isokon Flats, which embodied his ideas of minimalism and prefabrication. Fellow modernist architect, Best Overend was significantly inspired by Wells Coates and his minimum flat concept, whilst working under him as a draftsman in London. Upon leaving London and returning to Melbourne, Overend documented his version of these ideas in an article entitled A Minimum Flat with Maximum Comfort, which appeared in a 1933 edition of Australian Home Beautiful Magazine. In it, he championed several things, including the use of new materials, purpose built furniture such as folding wall beds, and alternatives to kitchen and bathroom design. Each apartment was supposed to provide "maximum amenity in minimum space for minimum rent." The purest expression of these ideas is embodied in Best Overends bachelor flats, commonly known as Cairo Flats, which are located in the Melbourne suburb of Fitzroy.