slaapplek

Slaapplek is a compact, modular sleeping pod designed for high-density living and flexible space planning. The term blends Dutch roots—slaap meaning sleep and plek meaning place—to denote a designated sleeping space within shared environments. In architectural and design discourse, slaapplek refers to a family of private sleeping units that can be installed in dormitories, co-living buildings, offices, or emergency shelters to provide individual rest areas without full rooms.

Pod designs vary but commonly feature a small sleeping surface, privacy elements such as a curtain or door, integrated lighting, power outlets, and some form of ventilation or acoustic insulation. They are typically modular to fit into grids or be embedded within furniture systems, with optional extras like storage, reading lights, USB charging, and climate control.

The concept emerged in the 2010s amid rising urban density and the growth of co-living and rapid-response shelters. It gained attention in design journals and on urban-planning platforms and has been implemented where space efficiency and quick deployment are priorities.

Pros cited include increased privacy and occupancy flexibility with lower capital costs than conventional rooms. Criticisms focus on maintenance demands, potential for isolation, and whether compact sleep environments meet long-term wellbeing standards.

See also: sleep pod, pod hotel, micro-apartment, co-living.