all photos by Toshihiro Sobajima courtesy the architects | click to enlarge
If you take an island no larger than the size of Montana and put half of the US population on 17% of it, then you’ve got a good grasp of the size of Japan. As you could imagine, this really complicates the process of finding a home, when there isn’t enough land to begin with. Fortunately, a society’s growth in close quarters has encouraged that infamous Japanese efficiency and creativity that we all know and love.
How do the Japanese propose to solve this problem? Traditionally, many Japanese families have elected to live together, with multiple generations under one roof. If that doesn’t really suit your style, then check out this stylish alternative created in 2012 by YUUA Architects & Associates.
Located in Toshima-ku, Tokyo, this building is just six feet wide (1.8 meters) with 860 square feet of living space. This super narrow house is tucked neatly between its neighbors, offering residents a sleek and contemporary look. Huge glass windows guarantee you’ll always know what is going on in the street, from raucous autumn matsuri festivals to little capped schoolchildren clutching their bags while they tromp by on their morning jaunt to school.
YUUA architects Madoka Aihara and Toshiyuki Yamazaki spearheaded this project, choosing an unconventionally dark palette to paint the walls to dramatize the light streaming in from the street.
A sleek structure nestled among more conventionally built homes, YUUA’s latest project refreshes the feeling of the area with a modern feel. This architectural style, with its slim form, is reminiscent of tall wooden row houses in Chicago. It measures four stories high, with living quarters and the dining room located in the rear of the building for maximum privacy. The first floor features a designated study area and bedroom and below, there is a sunken basement for storage.
The third floor boasts an open kitchen, dining room, and living room. You can even clamber atop the table to climb the ladder to the next floor
The fourth floor features a bathing room, bedroom, and terrace
Minimalistic stairs slice their way through the space as you ascend to the next floor
