NEVER TOO SMALL: Parking Space Sized Family Home, Tokyo - 56sqm/602sqft
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 มี.ค. 2023
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Built no wider than a parking space in the heart of Tokyo, the striking 6 Tsubo House stands out among the more traditional houses on the narrow street. Arte-1 Architect's designed the 56 square metres, three storey home based on a brief for a small but open house with a connection to the outdoors. To maximise space in the home, rooms on the upper levels were staggered, allowing a 5m high ceiling in the living space and additional storage within the stairway and underneath the kitchen. The staircase itself winds up through the home's fully equipped kitchen and generous main bathroom where instead of partitioning spaces, Arte-1 has created separation using colour and materials, giving each space a unique ambience. These carefully considered choices make this small building a truly functional home for a family; with priority given to simple things like room for children to play, and a cosy living & dining area.
#smallapartment #architecture #interiordesign
Project Name: 6 Tsubo House
Architect: www.arte-1.com/
Produced by New Mac Video Agency
Creator: Colin Chee
Director: Nam Tran
Cinematographer: Nam Tran
Producer: Lindsay Barnard
Editor: Sebastian Tibbs
Music: Grace by Dear Gravity and Horizon by Dear Gravity - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
I loved seeing a house that wasn't perfectly organized and cleaned up. Dishes drying, imperfectly folded clothes, books in the bookshelf all directions, broom hanging in the stair railing. Real people living real lives!
They created very diverse environments with little space, and despite the passages being small and a bit claustrophobic, the design of the rooms ends up being worth it, including the main door, which even left the street with a very pleasant atmosphere.
But you have a very unpleasant atmosphere in the morning when your parter finish using the bathroom and you must have to go through there to get a delicious lunch in the kitchen in the ground level. The architecture is not to create atmospheres, is for resolving day by day life, the best way posible.
clever yet weird house, the fact that it's so dark makes me feel slightly anxious
Yeah, it’s creative but it doesn’t look cozy to me. It’s like an mc Escher drawing. So much chaos and discord. It seems like there’s a lot of these kinds of tiny houses in japan which use space very creatively but seem almost hellish to live in unless you’re a single individual
Forget the color. The fact that some one can walk right through the bathroom, while another person is on the toilet sends me into a panic.
@@n.d.8276 I wasn't talking about the colors but about the actual light coming in, it just feels like a gloomy house
@@n.d.8276 yea imagine having diarrhea in that bathroom n someone need to get something from their room.
It makes me feel at ease. It's cozy. I love it.
the house somehow gives me the impression of a fortress, each room looks like a secret hideout which is so nice and interesting
Minecraft homebase vibes
Having to pass the bathroom to get to the next floor is super weird. But interesting. How do you know when someone is using the bathroom besides seeing the lights turned on? Not to mention the door is made of glass and has no lock lol
Yes, I agree with this-the house is not designed to accommodate the family as the children grow, because of the complete lack of privacy. The children’s bedroom doesn’t have a door at all (and perhaps the parents’ doesn’t either), combined with the glass bathroom door, so the children will probably be increasingly uncomfortable as they grow up.
@@jimnelson9775 The children's bedroom has a sliding door.
@@jimnelson9775 also the rooftop is only accessible from the masters bedroom, which could become annoying if the kids want to go upstairs
@devisserflorian I didn’t see a door on the children’s room, so I guess I assumed 😬 oops!
@@jimnelson9775 Also not for elderly. Imagined up and down everytimes on your 80s, you might injured your knee joint.
This looks like something out of a Wes Anderson movie. Seems to have more in common with the Space Shuttle than a traditional house.
I love the discontinuity with the staircases. Each has their own character and personality. The stylising of them challenges the actual spaces without overpowering. I'm always curious to see how ppl resolve circulation in small but tall envelopes and this was so well done. ❤
I remember I used to click on these videos to watch cool ideas, now when I click it means I'm just looking for crazy stuff life a bathroom that is also a corridor to get to the bedrooms. :) Amazingly crazy shit!
Im always amazed by the fact that natives of many non English speaking countries, still speak English for the wider audience. Phenomenal. Thank you for all your effort, hard work and beautiful representation of your work. It is much appreciated 🌸
I've never been so happy watching someone getting to a rooftop
One major functional design change this home needs is the bathroom privacy. Switch the stairs from the first floor landing to the bathroom with the toilet and close off the toilet for privacy. Otherwise, very accomplished family home. Thank you for sharing! 🎉
The whole idea is to only share the living room and WC, which is on the same floor as the living room, to be open to visitors, so the bathroom is private to the family.
@@skygaz3r the children and parents share the bathroom and have little privacy there. Less about guests, more about personal comfort in the day-to-day!
@@ilovebobsdonuts It's a choice in how you want to raise your kids. Some people would want the privacy and some people don't. The kids might want it when they get older but when they're so young it doesn't really matter, privacy might just get in the way a bit. And it's an easy fix to just make the window in the doors opaque.
@Marloes k imagine rushing to school in the morning and the kid needs to walk from their bedroom to the ground floor for breakfast. Someone is using the toilet. What then? They need the toilet closed off.
@@ilovebobsdonuts it's a personal choice. In my family we have whole conversations with each other while we're sitting on the toilet sometimes so walking through would not be a big deal. Also, their kids are young they may plan to sell it in the future when their kids get older but for their current situation it works.
although I find the high arch very aesthetic, it makes me feel as if they were living in an entrance of a dark castle. The huge kitchen and bathroom also felt a bit disproportionate, as if you wanted to build a mansion but because of the lack of square meters, you play Tetris with the rooms 😆
Yes! I said it seems the entrance to a hotel. The front door is really disproportionate, it feels like they crammed furniture in the first layer of a building that was supposed to be just a foyer
It's a reflection of their personal preferences: they love to cook, and they wanted both a shower and a tub.
The whole house is a reflection of the owners. I found it noce!
Initially I was so confused by the underground storage thinking that was a staircase but it's so smart! Having that space be in a basement space. Absolutely loved this design, it's so different from most of the spaces and wow, I'm blown away but what looks like a full blown restaurant kitchen. You can tell where their passions are and what they consider most important. Thank you for sharing.
The house is very interesting, but the woman’s vest is AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL!!
Ana amazing space but to have to pass through the bathroom to get to the bedrooms does not seem at all practical 🤷🏻♀️
I agree, especially once their kid grows up but if you're living alone that would be a great idea.
On the contrary, it was a stroke of pure genius! You see, they obviously wanted a big bathroom with both shower and tub. By making the hallway run through the bathroom, they save a lot of space. But it also enhances privacy, at least privacy as they would see it. Because they don't want visitors beyond their living space. Hence A) the downstairs toilet and B) the two or three steps up to the kitchen as a psychological barrier (Oh, I mustn't go there, it's 'upstairs'). In case someone does stumble upstairs, the bathroom is an extra buffer before the bedrooms.
The most creative small space that doesn't even look small - another stunning design! ✨
Art won with function on this one. 56m2 is enough for a family of 4 but the way they planned the space makes if feel like it's less. The walk-through bathroom is such a bad idea for a family with children, because either one family member can block half of the house from moving up and down, or someone will constantly disrupt their privacy. The design is inconsistent, like the children spaces were added as an afterthought and forced into the architect's dream of tall ceilings and vintage doors. Storage spaces are hard to reach and you can see the residents already walking around it (storing the broom in the stair handle for example). It looks great from the outside and the rooftop deck is very nice, but the inside leaves a lot to be desired.
I agree.
The space could be designed much better. I see it as rather claustrophobic, inconsistent, as you mentioned, and even - not very functional.
My overall impression is - the family of four temporarily lives in an abandoned factory until their house is finished.
There are some nice elements there, like the rooftop terrace, and also, the bathroom is very elegant. But the bedroom, though organized, feels cluttered and uncozy. And the same if not even worse is the entrance/dining/living room.
I saw tiny spaces like this one designed in a much, much better way.
I am not sure if it's on the architect or investors, but I don't like the result of their cooperation.
I agree. And there is no cozy living room, no sofa. There is a dining room and an empty space on the ground floor. Why not at least put a couple of comfy chairs in that empty space? Also weird location for the bathroom with no real privacy.
I agree too. I don't know about the share bathroom as a walk-through design. What if there's someone with bowel/incontinence issues? Would that person then need to use the downstairs loo exclusively? At some point teens will want both glass doors frosted over.
Absolutely disagree with your thoughts. They knew what to prioritise so that is what they did. The kids room doesn't look like an after thought at all. It's large, airy, grand, whimsical, playful. It's a bedroom of kids dreams, if not large. They wanted the industrial kitchen, so they got it. They wanted a grand bathroom so they got it. They even have a second toilet. Also culturally families share baths/bath water so privacy is not as important as in Western cultures. A bath is more like a spa and it's very important to them. I've stayed in 5 AirBnBs in Japan/Korea with 5 people and none of the apartments had bedrooms, including master bedrooms, that would in acceptable by Western standards. Glass doors that block no sound or vision. Walls that didn't reach the ceiling and the loft bedroom could see over the bedroom wall. It's different standard but very normal for their culture. What they have is even considered quite luxurious. The bathrooms might have a glass door but they also have thick heavy curtains that can be used. It's also normal to have just a dining room with a TV since there's no place for a separate living room. I've even seen furniture by Japanese brands being sold in my Western country that are made for that very reason.
@@laetifico That's okay:-)! We are all judging subjectively and definitely based on the standards of our own culture, which is logical:-).
Regardless of that, I am saying again that I saw small spaces like that, designed by Japanese/Asian designers for Japanese/Asian clients, and I loved them! And my Westerner cultural background was the same.
So, nope, it's not about culture in this particular case. I simply don't like the result.
But that only is my opinion.
If the clients are happy with it, that's what really matters since they live there, not me:-).
This is such a luxe design, and the distinct characters of the individual spaces makes it feel larger. I love how it has an old-world feel, as if a luxury hotel was disassembled and reconfigured as a small living space.
i always admire japanese architecture. landscaping, interior design. love it.
This was an absolute joy to watch even in just 6 minutes.
So many genius design elements and the fact that there was a kitchen and bathroom that large is incredible. The client had such a great taste in accessories.
Love the combination of glam & industrial.
I understand the difficulty of finding land, and the need to build high up. The solutions found in particular for storage in all the spaces are interesting, such as having an outdoor space... Nevertheless, practically all the small accommodations that we see on this channel are (generally well) thought out according to their the most practical and comfortable daily use, and of course the desires and needs of the inhabitants. But there... I don't see anything practical or comfortable, let's at least hope that it corresponds to the desire of the inhabitants. Where is the convenience when you have 4 flights of stairs with no handrails with children learning to walk? where is the comfort when the space of junction, the crossroads of circulation between the zones of the house is a bathroom, and moreover which does not close and with transparent doors? Where is confort where there is apparently no space for a sofe or even an armchair to offer to guests, and you eat with a TV screen sitting at the table with you ? How will such a house be livable if a family member has an injured foot or worse? Really, this house leaves me perplexed: amazed, surprised, impressed, interested, but perplexed, and not at all eager to live there.
I feel very similar about this home. Additionally, the lighting aesthetic does not inspire coziness within me.
Same. I'm honestly a bit horrified by this design (clutching my imaginary pearls here). Not very child-friendly (when it comes to small children or toddlers, at least), little to no privacy and a bit uncomfortable - the living room doesn't exist, really, it's just a dining space with a TV. And as someone with physical health issues...that's a whole Lotta stairs! I also, for some reason, feel weird about the whole stainless steel kitchen. Too cold. But, if it works for them... Alrighty! I have to say it does have some very interesting elements and space-saving solutions, and I loved the floor in the children's bedroom.
And why the walls are so dark? And the windows so small? When I saw the lady practically climbing to the first floor I couldn't believe it. It seems more like a piece of abstract art, or something out of a film, than a home. It looks messy and suffocating
The living room is very cold, the entrance too big in raport with the rest of the house, eating away space at the superior levels, ceiling too high. I would have sacrificed symmetry of the entrace, put the door in one side to gain more livable space, put a comphy sofa that can be extended for sleep if needed, a smaller table that can be extended when there are guests. As for the bathroom with glass doors, functioning also as a hallway, big no. For the walls should use very light colors, no exceptions. The terrace need some greenery, bit of landscaping.
Using the bathroom as a hallway is, I think, pure genius. It saves space while allowing you to have a bigger bathroom. Privacy is no issue here as East Asian families only need that in sexual matters, not hygiene. They also often prefer rigid chairs that maintain your posture to plush sofas to collapse in. But what I like the most is how every room has its own vibe and luminosity: a cozy entrance, a warm bathroom, a bright playroom and a dark bedroom.
I think having a dark building, dark interior and even dark bathroom does a disservice to the house and makes it feel more closed off than it should. I think this house would have benefited with a lot from brightly colored walls inside and out.
I just think they needed a bigger second floor. Get rid of the high ceiling downstairs and close that off for extra space. Having to walk through the bathroom to go up and downstairs is going to get awkward as the kids get older and people want to move about while someone is taking a shower or a sh*t.
Finally someone said what i was thinking. So much lost space with that high ceiling above the dining table! In a place expensive like Tokyo you can’t waste space like that just for aesthetic reasons. Could’ve been better used.
@@danielcabral700 I agree too. I'm super surprised by all the positive comments, but maybe that's because I lived in Japan so the interesting elements like half floors with storage underneath & on the landings and a rooftop balcony aren't new to me and distracting me from the misses. This same footprint could have been used to make a much less claustrophobic-feeling house if they hadn't sacrificed so much space to the overly large bathroom & not one, but TWO double-height areas.
I agree
The WC is always separated in Japan.
It's interesting to see how spaces are lived in, may seem a little tight and cluttered but pretty interesting.
Thank you for the Japan series. I love the entrance and window above it.
When I look at such a cramped space I remember those futuristic post-apocalyptic movies homes. It's livable at best.
Like steam punk slum houses?
That kitchen storage underneath the floor looks cumbersome. I can’t imagine that being comfortable for an elderly person.
Definitely, choices were made... I understand that art won over function here and that's fabulous (for example the atrium and the bathroom) but everywhere else looks hodgepodge.
Amazing to see how these small spaces can work for a family! Not my cup of tea, but it seems very well suited to the clients' taste and lifestyle.
Some very impressive ideas to maximize storage and to make such a small space seem larger. The outside balcony space is a bonus to get away from the potential confinement of the living space.
The spa-like bathroom was also a nice touch.
Maybe it's just me, but when I have such a tiny space to live in I wouldn't make the bathroom the biggest room in the house.
@@vornamenachname9905 Those are personal preferences. Having lived in a tiny studio flat with only a shower, I learned that I can be very happy in a tiny studio flat as long as it has a bathtub.
@@ixlnxs yeah, absolutely! I was just speaking from my perspective, but I won't judge others for their personal decisions.
This is incredible. Aesthetically the internal design decisions are not my particular taste but clearly they mean a lot to the client (I adore the metalwork at the front door though). I love the floor plan, including the walk through to the bedrooms via the bathroom, that's very practical. And the floor storage! I'm used to a small floor storage for root vegetables and such in Japan, but that was a whole cellar! Incredible. And the location is crazy, they'll never need to drive anywhere.
I think the bathroom was the only thing I did not like. In my opinion it is far from practical. If someone is using it you can't access the bedrooms from lower spaces and viceversa
Agreed, not my design taste at all, but if it serves them well, that is all that matters. (it seems crowded to me, and the kids appear small (one looks like it was in a high chair, I cannot help but wonder if the set up is really that child friendly with all those stairs and the metal and glass)
@@serjho6403 Yes you can if you are one of the four members of the family. I don't think they want anybody else to go beyond the living room and downstairs toilet. Hence the two or three steps up to the kitchen: it's a psychological barrier saying, "you cannot go there, it's 'upstairs' "
I think using the bathroom as a hallway was a strike of genius because it saves space and thus allows for a much bigger bathroom with shower AND tub, which was clearly a priority for the family. It also serves a second barrier to the bedrooms.
A wonderful example of functional and beautifully designed property. Thank you for sharing.
Their children are very young--also, not all cultures have the same sense of privacy connected with bathing or with sleeping areas. This home, as-is will suit this family for years and if they someday do need to privatize the toilet space, the bathroom looks like it can accomodate that change down the line. I love, love, love seeing spaces that show you how you can maximize space and not follow conventional rules. Please show more designs from around the world.
Lovely house indeed but I think the toilet in the bathroom doesn't have to change in any way as they have a separate toilet space downstairs. And I don't think any Japanese family needs to "privatise" the shower or tub because, well, they're family.
This design is so smart, I find it mind-blowing!
Can't believe so much space in such a small house. Well designed.
The kitchen is amazing in stainless steel.
Yeah that looks like a nice (and expensive) fitout
The best part for me is that this looks lived in and well used, not empty and staged. I also *love* the wonderful old toilet door 💚
We appreciate your effort and hard work. God bless you.
I like watching these videos for the beauty in design, the great ideas, and to remind me I have plenty of room as I clean while watching these videos 😂
Whoever played “one-chunk” in Minecraft knows how wonderfully crafted this home is!
This is brilliant. I am distracted by the loveliness of the lady's outfit…😊
As an Architect with 2 children of my own, I can say with certainty, this house is too small.
And their bedroom playroom is two floors up so how can they play unless parent with them all the time. As for the stairs up to roof it's just not a child or family friendly safe space.
THE ROOF. THE FREAKING ROOF I LOVE IT
I love small spaces, there is more square footage in this home then where I live despite occupying way less space.
I really like this project because it actually looks like a home, it feels lived in and you can tell the space is well loved.
Very inspired! When codes have been restrained, it unleashes creativity to infinity.
Fascinating to see a completely different lifestyle. I couldn’t cope with those split stairs at my age but I over the entrance hall/living floor. I love theses videos, gives so many ideas.
Whilst the space is fascinating, it has been tailored to this family's needs and preferences in a very specific way. Like others have said, I'd be worried about the space adapting to when the children get older in say, 5-10 years. Whilst the family could certainly move to another space at this point, I'd be worried about actually being able to sell this property. They could keep it as some sort of city apartment, or the next occupier could renovate, but I feel that both of these are really against the principles of small living...
The older the children get, the less time they will spend at home. In 5-10 years they will only be there to sleep, eat (sometimes) and study (or even study at school), but they will play in the park, gym, pool, square or street.
@@ixlnxs In 5-10 years those kids will be elementary school age and teenager respectively. I don't think the teenager is going to be ok with someone walking through the bathroom every five minutes to get something from their room...
@@agromchung There's not going to be anyone doing that every five minutes. This is a Japanese family. It will be only the four of them, no-one else will be allowed past the downstairs toilet. And the family will be ok with each other. Don't project your taboos on other cultures.
wow wow wow! This one is so perfect! I love the industrial kitchen! Such a great idea to do the cabinets that way. I laughed because it looks like my work.
I got exhausted watching this. We are currently redoing our house so I am up and down scaffolds and ladders all day and all our stuff is stored really awkwardly but the goal is someday to live in an easy to live in space. I felt like this woman climbed up and down and through things as much as I do. On the last staircase she walked on all fours. Who wants to walk on all fours? They wasted half the useable living space making room for a statement window.
All in all, a place like this is frikin awesome
Great job handling those staircases. You could've used a spiral staircase to save up space... but nope, you didn't. That speaks of greatness in design policies.
The only thing I would've done different? The fact the bathroom is used as a corridor. But it looks like there was no space, either. Maybe trading off the higher ceiling in the entrance would've allowed you to design with more space... but again, how you make people stop feeling so enclosed is lovely.
I wish that they incorporated a lot of fundamentals one can see in Japanese style bathrooms. They could have well made a separate room almost and partition the bathroom and allow for that vanity to be a part of the hallway. This would have provided the privacy needed for whoever needs to shower or bathe, and also allow for people to walk through that corridor without interfering. I also feel that front area is severely lacking as well, but there was so much potential in making that bathroom function more effectively without it acting almost like a railroad apt one would see in NYC.
The kitchen is very impressive
Very eclectic and not for everyone; certainly creative!
I can see that the client got a house that's comfortable for them and there are some clever ideas here.
It's like a beautiful chocolate box. Every aspect of it draws in light and a new aspect, it's truly beautiful :) 😍😍😍
I was impressed with the different use of the height on this project, it is really interesting how with different materials, and positions of the elements we can achieve an atmosphere with illumination and some aprochable space, with the just and necessary things.
This architect's imagination is beyond! I'm too impressed in every NEVER TOO SMALL videos
This home has a lot to love in my opinion. ❤ Though it is so small, it's got an awesome kitchen. Love the look and feel of the bathroom. And the rooftop terrace would be my astronomy retreat. 🎉
Beautifully done. I like how distinctive the areas of the home were. You feel as though you've been on a long journey, just by how memorable each area is. There was so much thought put into this design. Well done.
The rooftop is the highlight for me
玄関はいってすぐの部屋が、なぜか落ち着く🤗
素晴らしく計算された設計とアンティークを用いたセンス。お互いが良く理解され造られたスペシャルなお家ですね。
I also want a good kitchen and bath, while I don’t mind the living space being small. When renting, small places usually have pathetic kitchens/bathrooms so this is really inspiring😊
I was thinking - that's a little narrow. But then they got to the roof deck. I'd spend all my time there.
A beautifull entry way with the multi story window to allow light and open it up. I love the high windows and even the small roof area so much along with the darker exterior.
Awesome!! Thanks. Thoughtful, creative, and peaceful. Such a kitchen!!
The bathroom part is so unique and smart!
I appreciate that this space looks lived in. I can see myself living day to day here.
i'm really amazed of the design and how they adapt there
very interesting! hell if you come home with a sprained ankle haha, but very interesting!
This is so cool. I really love that kitchen. It's interesting to see the way they used all of the space. I'd live here
Love, love, love! So elegant & functional - to me it is a dream home. Beautiful!
this is super cool and creative! i live the idea to connect entrance door and the window above… it really matches with the black wall outside…
Seeing small spaces like this expands the thought of how much space we really need to live.
As you grow older, stay healthier, stairs will not be a problem. Japanese live a healthy lifestyle.
The bathroom floor and access to the rooftop is not a problem as respect of others, patience and smart planning won't leave anyone "stuck" accessing other floors.
This might be one of my favourite houses on NTS.
I commend them for fitting everything while giving character for each room. Not my type but commendable.
geez it is really difficult to pick a favorite when it comes to Japanese homes and designs. they really are genius and the Scandinavians too.
My estimated guess is that the bathroom will be their priority, followed by the kitchen.
what a fun little house!
The architet has done a fantastic job with the space available, for me I would perhaps have the walls a little lighter but I really like what they have done. The outside looks beautiful and completely unique. Thanks for sharing this NTS! 🏠💖
Sehr gut gelöst. 👍 Viele Grüße 👋🏵️
Beautiful exterior, but very odd choices inside. Interior design is not to my style, but i have bigger issues with the architectural layout itself. Very odd choices indeed.
A complete 5 star hotel suite room in a small house, wonderfully made, bravo👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Very clever…love the roof top..fresh air and sunshine
I would be happy with a house like this.
Love this one, especially the rooftop! I would probably organise the space differently, but it seems like the family got everything they wanted and it actually looks homey.
Amazing project! From Estonia with love ❤
I saw the preview of the woman climbing up into the kitchen and I thought that was how you get from 1st to 2nd floor. That was a bit too space-savey for me but as it turns out, the kitchen is large with commercial range-hood, the main bathroom is roomy and very nice, and there was even roof-top space. As he said, the family spends most of the time on the 1st floor so I think you can think of it as a new-york studio apartment but with the next 3 floors being extra.
The design is lovelly and the house looks really unique.
Very interesting apartment. I liked it.
What a House, very❤
Wow. Thats incredible. Love the rooftop & bathroom especially.
Wow this is an amazing use of space.
This family will stay fit from walking up all of the stairs.
Its genius and perfect for a city centre home. I love the adaptable roof terrace that can be a living area ❤
Wow every single corner has full of delicated ideas 💡
Really lovely adorable and looks quality.
I love how he put everything with function
Beautiful home for an urban area, brilliant use of space...
these ideas can save us all.