I'm happy that more homes that are actually being used by families are shown here instead of all those "minimalistic" airbnb places/vacation homes that look amazing but absolutely useless. This home exactly portrays how claustrophobic a fully functional home can look in a small space.
exactly how does this house showcase family? is it HIS large stoves and sink? or HIS workstation? or HIS gelato machine? or HIS reading nook? wheres the family bro 😂😂😂
People never cease to amaze me with how habitable a space can become if you just consult what is existing, and build in harmony with it. What a lovely departure from the regular tiny spaces that are usually covered.
Super interesting layout--I know the point of hiring an architect is to customize your house to your lifestyle but having the "office" area blocking the entrance like that gives me some second-hand anxiety haha. Always love seeing how how people make spaces work specifically for them!
same feelings too, but sounds like the owner only uses the "office" once a while as he says 'in case he needs to work-from-home'. and makes sense as well as you don't want the office/work space to intrude into the already limited amount of 'home' space 😆
Nice that a garden and a rental unit has been incorporated into such a small site. Love the small reading/meditation loft. Certainly a creative use of space.
As and architect, I believe that the designer had really done justice to this client's brief with the freakishly small foot print. Many of the japanese space crafting looks claustrophobic for me as a south asian living in tropical bliss, who lavishes with the square footage of spaces. But it works for the japanese, and as he said not ordinary ones 🤓. It might definitely not be a forever home for this young family, but serves the purpose for another decade at least, I would say. Cultural & economical contexts make this project unique, so don't hate it people 🤗🌼
I think it can become a forever home - when the son grows up and needs more space / they have more kids they can utilise the first floor to extend the house
it's good they're making use of the space. I don't know how I feel about this channel glorifying housing that clearly isn't designed for the elderly or people with disabilities, though. If the clients are wealthy enough to hire architects, they're wealthy enough to take that into consideration
On the contrary… though it would never work for me personally, rather than hate on it, I think this is a wonderful idea and solution for the client. Such a pleasure to see.
@@tubulartuber this is just my 6th video from this channel, but is there a problem with a house not being friendly to people with disabilities/elderly, when the owners are not either of those anyway? I guess people will grow old fast and want a house that lasts forever but so far I've only seen people looking between late 20s and early 40s, I think they still have at least a decade to prepare for that.
@@tubulartuber From what I've seen on this channel, every place was made to measure its owners: party people, quiet book readers, singles, young families, people who invite friends for dinner and people who don't want to be found. Disabilities also require a bespoke house, but there are other channels specialising in those.
I saw this property featured in a Japanese tv show. They showed the lower floor room too. There is a dancing teacher renting the space right now but they built the house with an extra room that will become their kids room in the future. With the rent they charge, they cover the mortgage payment. Petty smart if you ask me.
I guarantee they have probably already moved too a normal apartment by now. The secondary property market in Tokyo is filled with these unlivable design properties.
I too am amazed at the genial way the architect managed to meet his client's needs and wishes in such a small space. I am glad you opted for the storage steps; so much easier for everyone, including your child. Enviable garden space in the middle of the city.
The step design for allowing light to flow to the kitchen is a genius gesture. Not only because of that, but because it creates the sense of transition from going to/from the shower/stairs and loft space
This reminded me of why I became so excited and fascinated about small space living. This is such a creative approach to a space and so specific to the client that it ends up presenting fun and clever approaches to an unconventional space. As a parent it’s so cool to see it have a family aspect. Thanks for showing families on the channel.
These are the best types of small homes - ones designed specifically to fit the lifestyle of the owner. We won't like every detail, but that's the point. More of these, please!
Top floor: stunning & clean. Main floor: cluttered chaos! I love what they did with the space, though some cabinets with doors and smaller appliances (looking at that vent hood!) would do well for that kitchen.
You could easily convert the first floor into a guest house or subdivide it into some bedrooms if they choose to have more kids. This is a very whimsical and wonderful house! having a big private garden in a dense city is super cool!! :D
This video more than any other has made me realize the uniqueness of Japanese designs. I've watched tons of interesting Japanese house and apartment tours, as well as various house, tiny house, camper van, and apartment tours all over the world, but the sense of purpose and intention that the design of this apartment conveyed was really on a next level for me. Even as someone who has lived in a tiny room in Tokyo, I was surprised and fascinated by the choices made in this home and I really love it!
When I lived in Tokyo, I had one 6 tatami room + unibath. One burner kitchenette in the entrance “hall.” This place would have been a dream. Love the sleeping/bathing loft & garden space. Paradise in a crowded city.
4:20 “I was quite content with the rope ladder.” I’m sorry but WHAT?? Could you imagine a pregnant person or infant trying to use a rope ladder?? Thank god for the architects for talking him out of that idea 😂
A garden, workspace, full kitchen (with gelato machine!), reading nook, a bathtub, and even an extra floor that can be used as a rental space... This tiny house really has it all, and I love how cosy it feels. I would totally choose to live in a smaller space if I get to live in Nakameguro (one of my favourite neighbourhoods in Tokyo).
I agree. I used to live in Shimo-Meguro near the Meguro River as well, and springtime there was great with the cherry trees all in bloom. Great area with nice restaurants and other conveniences.
i knew the video will get better and better when i heard "gelato machine" 😂 this is easily one of the most memorable NTS homes ever featured, so much character in such a small space ♥
7:14 I think is can be taken as important rule for any tiny living space. Start to live and actually use the space before it's completely 'finished', so you can have space to mold your lifestyle and the space together efficiently
I doubt they r truly happy clamp up in that tiny cage. They all look subdued and suppressed. Like the house gonna crumble if they evoke too much color and energy lol
What I most loved of this flat is the contrast between the chaos of working/active routine (yang?) whin the absolute calm of the sleeping space and the garden (maybe the yin?).
architects are insane but when clients just /know/ what they want it and how they want it, the result is truly amazing. especially when we are able to see how they actually use the spaces that have been built - some episodes are always empty or filmed before the client lives in, and some questions we may have about how it'll work we will, well, never know.
I see this house perfect for a single person, but for a couple and a child? OMG! Nevertheless, nice layout. One of my cons is that the sleeping platform seems too narrow for two people to sleep together imo.
@@Kuchenwurst Looking at the other extremely negative comments about this home that @qasryna has commented on this video, I assume they're just looking for attention and definitely do not live in this house.
I wonder, seeing how they spent alot on building such unique layout, is thr second hand value? Not many can afford to buy and those who could may not wan this. Japanese r bending backwards to gaslight themselves into wat liveable spaces mean
This is such a beautiful family home! They've laid it out perfectly. I'm happy to see that they haven't gutted any part of the exterior to make this layout work better. What a timeless example of our neighborhoods growing more urban. Thank you for sharing. The family looks lovely.
I love how well thought out this space is. My favorite is the garden, outdoor wooden bath, skylight loft and bedroom area. When they explained the glass doors and the step gap with glass to let the lights in, I was really amazed. I live in Tokyo and small, limited space helped me become more mindful and intentional with what I buy and let in my very tiny space. If I live in a large space, I’m afraid the impulsive consumerist me will just fill it up😅 It was a nice surprise that a 50kg gelato machine lives in this space 😄
I have not watched a lot of these so I don't know if it is a cultural thing I am unaware of but I noticed the lack of 'comfort' in this home. The bench for the whole family to sit on rather than a softer sofa or beanbag? Apart from that though, what a fascinating, well thought out, unique space. I love it and it works perfectly for this family x
I've watched a bunch of NTS and other small/tiny homes. It's pretty typical that there's a 'couch' that is really just a bench with a thin pad. I'm assuming none of the people who live in these small spaces are in them for long. Every now and then there's something that looks like it would be comfortable to sit on for more than an hour, but it's pretty rare. At least there was that one sofa thing across from the bench that looked like it would be comfortable to lay or sit on.
I'm guessing for this family it's due to the floor sitting/sleeping culture prevalent in Japan and other Asian countries. They're just used to sitting/hanging out/sleeping on solid surfaces
They quite literally sleep on a relatively thin mattress on the floor. I think it's an Asian thing to almost prefer harder surfaces. It is prevalent in India as well. People are perfectly fine getting comfortable on hard surfaces. I myself have a terribly tiny room and have started sleeping on the floor on a quilt. it's actually great XD
I agree, I am specially amazed by the capacity of japanese architects. So much to learn about the use of the space, about giving credit to weird lots and making possible homes for ordinary people.
I love the flexible counter covering the washing machine. In many situations something like that could be used as a place to fold laundry . In a bathroom I suppose you could have storage above instead of the counter.
This house is quite interesting to me seeing as it seems like the man was the sole designer of the house with only his interests in mind. Not to say that he doesn’t care about his family but no one else seems to have added anything besides him.
This is lovely to watch, esp that they're young parents. They bring new breath, new life, new generation to Japan, hopefully this house will be a very good place to start their family life. ❤
As someone who has a young kid at home, I find this living space super stressful. A child needs the space to grow safely and comfortably. They also need the space to learn and grow. This unit is great for a single person but not a family with a dog and a young child.
3:28 that design looks rickety as nothing really "locks" into place. Any little bump against it would move that table area around and anything on top of it too.
There's something really beautiful about minimalist Japanese architecture. I loved the top floor. Middle floor seemed a bit muddled in my opinion but I suppose they have to squeeze their belonging in there somehow. What a great use of space!
Japan is a beautiful place and the people are resilient. A home is a home, and as long as the residents are happy and don't mind a smaller space all is good. I personally wouldn't mind living here. However it is funny how the family dog is inspecting the areas in the home to run around and entertain itself with.
So....all three of them sleep in what looks like a twin size bed?? Interesting. I find it hard to believe this is 538 sq. ft. I've seen tiny homes on wheels with less square footage that looked bigger and more functional than this home. However...to each his own. 😊
If someone makes the kitchen the top priority in a small house 😂 I love the wood, and the garden, do they stack the child in the cupboard? Couldn't find the child's place. Expensive big cities give innovative house designs.
An where does his wife live? All I heard this entire video is about the needs of this man. How he likes to cook, the area for his office, his bath tub outside. The bedroom has that tiny twin sized mat. And then at the end they remind us oh yeah, wife and baby live here too. It’s Japan though, the woman is not the important one, obviously. If he’d had his way it would have been a rope ladder to the bedroom. Because a pregnant woman or woman carrying a baby can not use a rope ladder and I’m sure the man also found no problem with that, as of course he needs his privacy up there. The unimportant people can stay downstairs. Where do wife and baby even sleep at?!? Also, gotta admit the thought of trying raise a child with those scary heights is daunting!
Totally agree with you. They would have to have their eyes in the back of their heads when the child is running about in that apartment. Also where does the child sleep?
Meguro is one of my favourite neighbourhoods in Tokyo. To be able to live in such a well-designed, functional space in such a lovely neighbourhood is like a dream come true.
The kitchen in such a small place is impressive. I’ve seen larger tiny homes with only a cooktop and no oven. Seems like everything a small family needs for living is included in the design. There are plenty of shelves and storage.
Great use of the space, but just for one person, including the bed space. I was asking myself how disconfort must be watching a video in that bench park. Also, I have other questions: where they three seat in their meals? Where is all baby stuff like the baby tub? Where the baby sleeps? Where are are the space made for the wife since all presented was made only for the habits of the man owner?
Sometimes when you change the space inside your home, you end up changing as well. But it's also true that if you change as a person... the space will change accordingly. Amazing.
This is a beautiful and airy space, despite the spatial constraints! The one thing I noticed is - there’s only one bedroom… perhaps the baby sleeps near or with the parents, or they sleep in the living room area with the crib(?) tucked away in the daytime? It would have been interesting to understand what considerations were in play for the child and the plan for them as they grow older, if it’s not a short-term housing solution.
love 3rd story simple and bright , but living wood seat in living area looks uncomfortable and entrance open shelves concept make it a little messy like inter a storage room. Hidden shelves and mirror instead of working area, will make it perfect.
What really amazes me is that while you're all content in your wonderful home that fills in all the things required and shows how a house so small is actually just enough for us rather than the wants of life as we make more money.. the simplicity of your life is great.. but yet I m amazed by your living room family pic where you have given more than enough and equal space for your dog who seemed enjoying his couch moment.
I cannot imagine their child is safe in this space. The stairs alone are about 10 accidents waiting to happen. And where does their child even sleep? Or sit? Or eat? Or play? Or store his toys? I think a tiny space like this could be designed to be safe and comfortable for a child, but that's not what I see here.
@MF I'm not old, but I'm disabled and could not survive in any of these tiny houses. The problem with the countryside, of course, is that it's harder to earn money.
I lived in a house with a precipitous dropoff from the garden to a road with a 1 year old who was crawling and learning to walk. You just train them how to live with whatever the opportunities and limitations of the situation are. The result...a super confident adventurous young man.
Oh my god you sound like such a baby, where did you grow up? Your rich parents 5000 square foot mansion? You know people used to sleep in houses even smaller without electricity and plumbing not even 100 years ago.
@@ThaRealHomer I do know that. And they died. My great-grandfather, for example had 14 siblings, but six of them died before they reached three years old. For the record, I did not grow up rich, and often did live without heat, electricity, running water, telephones, and roads. That's why I know what I'm talking about. But please do excuse me for caring about children. I wasn't aware that this is a character flaw.
