Small life in Japan: how to optimize a small living space
When you live in Japan, you often find that you have limited space to work, whether you are in a share house or renting your own apartment. This is mainly due to the lack of land in the country, 73% of the land we can use is considered mountainous, and another part of the country’s flat land serves as agricultural land and a means of agricultural purpose. There are also issues surrounding overcrowding in urban areas of Japan. These factors have led to widespread inflation between properties, resulting in many residents turning to smaller homes.
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April is usually a new beginning in Japan, as well as the beginning of the school year and the time for new graduates to find employment. For this season, many are in the market considering relocation as a prerequisite for a new start. In this article, I’ll show you just a handful of small living spaces in Japan and how these spaces have succeeded in optimizing the space without compromising comfort.
Kuramae’s compact house by Tomoyasu Kawakubo Architects & Associates in Taito Ward faces a narrow alley in Kuramae surrounded by many communities. Since the ground floor is connected to the street, the house promotes local interaction by extending the alley.
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The design of the dwelling allows for efficient access to ladder-like stairs between communal spaces and private rooms on different floors, while ensuring privacy. The stairs act as a well of light that allows natural light to enter the house through the windows on the upper floors. To maximize the floor area, we used thin and lightweight steel frames and finishing materials.
A small house with a large terrace by architect Takuro Yamamoto in Tokyo is a clear example of a small urban dwelling with a large exterior space. The residence is connected to a large terrace as the client requested a place to practice yoga freely in the sun. Therefore, connecting the terrace to the living room and the bedroom with large windows was an ideal way to provide both fresh air and sunlight. Internal space.
The house creates a comfortable interior space by connecting them to an unlimited extension of the exterior space. The most effective way to achieve the true size of an urban home in a high-density residential area is to incorporate an unlimited amount of exterior space into the design, rather than increasing the interior space.
Nada’s house by Fujiwara Muro Architects is located on a small 36.95 square meter smite in a downtown residential area. The drainage-like floors of the slats on the first to third floors are connected to the slats’ tables, stairwells, and skylights to allow sunlight to reach the bottom of the house. The three-dimensional gaps and holes in the field of view work to eliminate the sense of two-dimensional spatial narrowness and increase comfort in the home.
UNEMORI ARCHITECTS’s small house is located in Meguro, a densely populated area of Tokyo. The interior is a simple structure separated by four floorboards and is connected by a spiral staircase. The space around the house helps bring light and ventilation into the house. Since the walls of the room are adjacent to the outside, the windows are strategically arranged in the best harmony with the surroundings, dramatically changing each view and expanding the image of the house.
The idea of living in a small space may be overwhelming at first and induce a sensation of claustrophobia, but each of these projects is important for the generous intake of natural light and ventilation to open each residential space. I am using sex. When you live in a confined space, you eventually adapt and learn what you care about. Whether you’re pursuing a minimalist lifestyle or looking for an economically sustainable way of life, with a little ingenuity, anyone can feel a small flat like a home.
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