NEVER TOO SMALL: Modern Compact Japanese Family Home, Osaka - 57sqm/613sqft
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.พ. 2025
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Set in a quiet neighbourhood in Osaka prefecture, the newly built three storey F-House is a compact, timber home for a family of 4. To accommodate existing furniture and maximise common living space instead of separate private rooms, architect Kazuteru Matsumura kept the home relatively open plan. Making use of strategically placed velcro curtains instead of regular doors, an atmospheric and cost effective solution that creates flexible zones and conceals storage spaces. Avoiding custom furniture throughout the home as well as in the children's bedroom kept cost down, and each piece was carefully selected to create a flexible multifunctional space, with a desk and storage fitting neatly underneath the bunk beds. In the living room, the extra space in the high ceiling has been used to create a playspace and room for storage that can be accessed via a ladder OR a uniquely placed rock climbing wall.
#tinyhouse #architecture #interiordesign
Project Name: F-House
Architect: coilkma.com/
Produced by New Mac Video Agency
Creator: Colin Chee
Director & Cinematographer: Nam Tran
Producer: Lindsay Barnard
Editor: Nam Tran
Music: Spectral Type 0 by Yotam Agam
Thank you for your kind words about this product. th-cam.com/users/postUgkxgmlSSlIRNE_C2UjNrRD8KfUXsZIM7WNF I'm pleased to hear that you have found the plans to be informative and helpful. This product aims to provide you with a variety of shed designs and styles, each with a clear picture and a detailed diagram. You can easily visualize and build your own shed, or get inspired by the different options available. I hope you enjoy your shed building experience with this product. blush
This is the realistic portrayal of a small residential structure I've watched so far. You can really notice that Japanese has their own appreciation of space and material. Thanks for this channel for featuring Asian taste of Small Space :)
What I love so much about this video (besides the amazing use of design and the different floors) is that the home owners don't try to reinvent the wheel and simply buy the beds from a furniture shop and keep their "old" furniture. Some people seem to forget the first of the sustainable R's: Reuse
That's the 2nd R.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Incinerate, Landfill
I love how this tiny house actually feels like it was built for people with normal lives. It often seems like tiny homes (or apartments) are designed in such a way that you have to change your life to fit the house. This house feels like it was built for their lives, not least because so much of their furniture came from their previous home. I love that.
same
Because most of the time the small homes r for single occupants. In this home, it looks just like my home w all the clutter lol so it lacked appeal to me 😅😅😅
The efficiency of space in this tiny house is genius. Wow. I'm always blown away by how considered Japanese design is.
This is the second tiny home I've come across where the bedroom is on the ground floor and the living area is on the second floor (the first one is on George Dunnett's channel, his own tiny house) and I think it's very clever. It doesn't hurt bedrooms to be dark but it's always best to have your living area and kitchen to be well-lit with good circulation.
Have a look at 'Chimney Pot Park' in Salford. All the houses were reconfigured with the floors switched round.
so true
It’s great except for lugging groceries upstairs…
@@VS-mu8mk omg that is a very good point! 😅 that never occured to me!
Love how the minimalist house is also built with fun in mind. The wall climbing is pretty wild but awesome touch to an otherwise simply layout space. Instead of multiple drawers to hide things away from view, they use curtain. Cheap, dead simple and very effective. Very Japanese way of thinking 🇯🇵
Huge kudos 👏🏼
The rock climbing wall is so interesting! Definitely not for everyone but it both provides a unique way to access the loft, gives the children an area to play, and serves as an interesting feature wall. Great video :)
I really think stuff like that that encourage movement in the house could be beneficial for health and agility. Makes our monke brain happy
I read the entire Ryan’s th-cam.com/users/postUgkxGqOCINHE0Z0E5gxzSdNi9NWGugRY5Hm2 Plans and was able to make a shed plan. Using Ryan’s Shed Plans alone, the shed itself is great. Where I wish I knew more is with respect to ground preparation and foundations. Maybe that's beyond the scope of Ryan’s Shed Plans.
So awesome to see commentary about the functional (but frugal!) design choices in the house. I love this channel, but hearing about the ambiance from artisan handmade subway tiles sourced from rural China inside an absurdly custom house is about as far opposite of anything I'll see in my lifetime. Situations like those are fantastic representations of (somewhat less) limited design and I still love seeing them, but it's nice to get a direct picture of how I, a mere human, might be able to incorporate what I see into my own life!
Totally agree!
It’s Japan. Not China. ,-).
NOT China- this is Japan!!
sorry commenters--i knew the video was in japan, i was just trying to make an example of the types of exotic products they regularly talk about :)
While the lack of privacy is a dealbreaker for me, I love how cosy and lived in this house is. Think it'll be perfect for a couple.
Japanese families often sleep together so they aren’t as uptight about privacy as Westerners.
This is a lovely home, very cozy and clean, a trait of Japanese culture.
@@kuroneko7022 you mean, it is usual to get intimate in Japan while your kids are hearing you? 😅
@@PowerControl Sound insulation can be done in a small space too . While echos and sound amplification will occur in a large space without insulation .
So the details really matter .
haha What you are replying is a typical Japanese stubborn excuses. They know the problem and they know they cannot fix it. Instead of admitting the problem, they choose to render it with some culture or trait shit. But people like you and I will immidiately find the points and poke through it. Then guess what, they will still mumble about the culture thing lol
@@PowerControl they usually go to normal hotel/love hotels for that or have the kids on their relatives' house to have some alone time.
there are so many indulgences in this house, which makes it super pleasing! the accent tiles in the genkan, the climbing wall, the uniform wood color throughout, even the lab sink??? just goes on to show you can have everything despite on a budget
I love the soft look of all the curtains functioning as walls and doors, it's such a nice way to divide a space when needed but with the option to keep things open; and to reduce the feeling of weight and barriers in a small house that accommodates many people. It wouldn't work for me personally as someone with dust allergies, I'd go nuts pulling them down to wash them regularly; but it's still a lovely look!
They're also a great way to keep your energy bills down by restricting cool/warm air to exactly which parts of the house you want!
do the classic rice paper door treatments have the same effect you think? Cuz it all lacks any real sense of privacy.
@RaeRae - Even without a dust allergy, I’d want to be washing the curtains regularly to keep them clean. Perhaps a soft grey would be a better choice of colour so as not to show marks where grubby fingers have touched them.
That one wedge holding up the beam is always a marvel in craftsmanship to me.
Yes to an unconventional (yet practical) sink! And to laundry space with direct access to the back yard! Fine piece of work! 😎✌🏼
The mosaic tiles in the genkan remind me of something designed by the great architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Japanese designers/architects are on a whole different level. Extremely well thought out home for a family of four in a small area. I love Japan. Have Japanese in laws and have visited Japan three times already.
This is the sort of house that would have me climbing the walls. ;) Kidding.
I have to say it's an interesting layout. Usually we see beds and full baths on the upper floor and kitchen and living space on the ground floor (at least where I live in the States). Overall I like the aesthetics of small Japanese home design, although I think I would want some walls between the bedrooms, if only for more privacy and to reduce noise if I were trying to sleep.
Looooved the flyscreens everywhere hahaha as someone who lives in a hot country/area these are really important items to have. Also loved the design, it really feels like a house that people actually live in!
This is a great video to practice some japanese! It's also really interesting to see all the small japanese cultural influences. The low privacy and some of the seemingly crammed spaces are so normal in Japan. And of course there is the genkan and traditional japanese bath. While ultra modern or stylized places can be fascinating, they also often start to feel somewhat artificial and like a not so great living space. This house feels like a real home for real people, which I really enjoyed. I think the architect did a great job to provide what his clients wanted.
The front is awesome! It has a lovely combination of traditional japanese build and urban needs. I like the fact that everything looks (and is) completely lived-in to the fullest.
I love how this is a real home, where you can see people actually living in it, putting down some roots, making memories, enjoying time together. And some of the features are achievable on a budget and without insane DIY skills, which is also nice 👍
really simple and efficient design, love the kids room. separate beds for the parents makes for better sleep!
Congratulations on finally realising that your channel is global and that there is no need to have designers speak in contrived English just to please a certain audience (and sometimes having to add subtitles anyway because it's hard to follow). This was a beautiful home, and a really beautiful video.
I loved that the architect was speaking his own language too.
I love that this house actually feels like a normal home, many of this tiny houses have no objects, it feels like all people do in them is sleeping, no cooking, no socializing, not really using the spaces, but this home actually have objects stuff, and it feels like people live in them, all without losing the elegance
Loved the mosaic in the entrance hall. Small creative flair giving some individuality
Yes loved those tiles. Also loved the kids lamps under the beds.
Beautiful woodwork throughout the home. The bonus climbing wall is also lovely. Perfect for kids. Thank you for sharing your design!
this home feels attainable
I do really like the upper floor. Not so much the bedroom zone, specially the parents room with small separate beds and that "closet". And also liked that it's a real home, with many storage areas to hide everyday items.
I saw on the Internet that, per building regulations, the house was not allowed to built in a way that might block natural sunlight to the _northside_ residences. So, to comply with building regulations and maximize functional area for the family, the architect designed a sloped roof. The extra height created by the slope provided the space for the third floor storage area. I think the sloped roof was really an ingenious design.
As shown in the video, the family has a lot of household items. The architect managed to create enough storage space for the family and, at the same time, meet their demand for a spacious common area where the entire family can gather together. That is remarkable.
Putting the bathroom, the kid's bedroom and the master bedroom on the first floor and the kitchen, living room on the second floor is another commendable feature of the house. Such an inverted floor plan rescues the bedrooms from the residual heat of the kitchen. Consequently, the bedrooms will be cooler in summer months than it they were on the second floor. Having the living/dining area on the second floor also gives the family a better view of the neighborhood as well. Such inverted floor plan may cause problems for families with small children or elderly people, but for this family, the pros of such a inverted floor plan outweigh the cons.
I like the extensive use of cedar wood throughout the house. It doesn't only create a warm feeling, but also an organic aesthetic appeal.
Thanks for sharing!
the rock climbing wall is a really cool feature!
This house is so pretty externally, and works perfectly for a family. So clever!
You always do such great detailed walkthroughs ❤️
I was really struck by the way he solved the way to go up, it's very creative and I would never have thought of it
Beautiful, functional, cozy and very lived-in!
Why the entryway tiles and the way the beams are joined, I just love it.
I'm early! Lovely as always, the climbing wall is a great playful touch.
Finally some japanese sensei here! This is how you make tiny homes! Playful with proper use of space. Arigatou gozaimasu 💗🇯🇵
Absolutely fabulous! A truly delightful family home
Feels cozy
There must be people who are emotionally comforted by staring at their hodge-podge of stuff all day. Why else would you want to live in a space so disorganized and visually jumbled? Reminds me of a messy dorm room.
Loved this house tour! The house also feels so lived in, with their personal items all out. I prefer this over an overly stiled and cleaned tour... :D I think i would love to live in a space like that, it's very creative in its layout!!! Only thing lacking for me was color, but that's just personal preference.
This is the type of house I would have loved visiting and spending time in if I was friends with the kids growing up. I wouldn't have been able to live in it, as it doesn't suit me at all, but it has a nice cozy vibe.
Loving the retractable screens! It’s such a novel but effective solution.
LOVE the esthetic and the exterior of the home is really fantastic. Just beautiful! However, as an American I’m used to a little more privacy, and instead of so many curtains I would rather have semi-translucent sliding doors or Japanese screens for both light and privacy. Also, I don’t see how both children would be able to use their pull out desks at the same time, it didn’t look like there was enough space.
The rock climbing wall access to the loft 😍😍😍
Chaotic neutral is a good way to describe this house. Too small for 4, ideal for 2.
I had trouble understanding the layout because of how the video was shot
This is one of my least favourite homes from this channel. The layout is confusing (even after seeing the diagram), the home looks cluttered and messy, and I HATE, HATE, HATE curtains being used as space/room dividers. I think it makes a place look smaller and even more cluttered and messy, and all those curtains are nothing but dust traps. Other people may like that look, but I absolutely hate it.
Agreed. He kept moving around but I was rarely able to determine where he was in relation to his location just seconds before. Despite being somewhat small, felt a bit 'labyrinthian.' Also distracted by reading the captions.
@@cmitchell7347 "Labyrinthian" is the perfect word to describe it. A home this small shouldn't be so "busy".
Probably because everything was the same wood so you couldn't see depth and the white curtains everywhere might make you think it's covering a window instead of being a wall/door. It was also quite quick so I paused a lot and had to remember the layout that was initially shown. There's a lot of rooms for such a small space.
@@Terri_MacKay I got the feeling they hit hard times and had to sell their much bigger house. The architect mentioned saving money a few times and building the living room and kitchen around the already existing furniture. But I love how much their prioritised their kids in everyway to give them their own spaces, even being able to use the top floor.
I've been in apartments in air bnbs in Japan and South Korea where even though they had doors it didn't block any sound and had windows built into it. So I feel like many of them don't have this need to have proper solid walls and doors to block sound and for privacy. Traditionally they have paper sliding doors which block nothing.
As a rock climber, I always wanted something like this in my home, even as a feature/design, I love it!
I love that this isn't a realistic portrayal of the house. Not dressed for the video. Sets realistic expectations.
Ingénieux cette maison, le jeu des rideaux permet une intimité et de conserver soit la fraîcheur soit la chaleur, pas de superflus et confortable !!
this space is so cosy! amazing
It's interesting how the narrator talked about Japan's declining population right after showing a Master bedroom with separate beds and curtains for privacy...
Finally someone mentioned it
I was looking for this comment!
They have two children. They have done their duty
Its common for us asians to take care of elderly than to give them to retirement home.
As much as I like this house for its compact nature, quality of finish and thoughtful use of space, I wonder how it performs during the cold winters. Japanese houses are notorious for their lack of insulation and heating systems that keep us comfortable in the west
Osaka is more in the south of Japan right? So it doesn't get colder than 10°C on average. Still its something I'm now wondering about too!
I wouldn't want to live in this one personally - seems pokey and cluttered to me. The kids room in particular - sure you can pull the desk out but only one kid can have their desk out at once, the ladders to the beds are nearly touching at the bottom. Feels like you would constantly be squeezing past or stepping over something. Maybe in part because they've downsized from a bigger house so got a bunch of furniture and lots of stuff. For once it feels like it is really too small for that family.
what an interesting gentleman, very knowledgeable
nice to see how smaller house works with a family that are NOT minimalists
Liked the floating shoe shelf. Just curious why are there 2 separate beds in the parents' sleeping area, do the parents not sleep together in the same bed? Or is this some Japanese concept to maintain everyone's personal space?
I know (middle aged and older) married couples who do also sleep in two seperate beds in austria. I do not think that's a japanese thing.
But i think there is nothing happening in this bedroom anyways, given how open it is 😅
like that the house feels calm and peaceful, but if you're gonna use the loft as a space to hang-out in, the fact that it doesn't have any handrails is dangerous for everyone, specially the kids.
Lacks some views at night with all the lighting on!
The lighting was not discussed much, but watching it again, the lighting appears to consist of a very few bare bulbs dropped into a large space. While these would seem to meet standards of frugality, I can’t help but wonder if there are additional lighting solutions which would enhance the design of the space, and add functionality & safety while being attractive and cost-effective to use.
A forma como ele explica cada detalhesinho é muito agradável e nostálgico de certa forma, um ambiente bem único
I love seeing a home rather than just a house that feels like a show room. I loved seeing the separate beds for the married couple and if I ever married I would do the same because I like my own space and my heavy blankets 🤣 However, I didn't like all the curtains and would prefer sliding doors instead. And I'm also not completely sold on those small windows.
There is a lot about this home that I really like 🙂 the wood snd the softness from the fabric make it very inviting and warm
I super love this home, the materials, ambience everything.
Good use of space, overall. I like those sliding anti-bug screens. I like that the house is wooden, but I think a few more windows or even a skylight might have helped make it less dark. Perhaps also a bigger loft so that it could double as a work space? The concept of privacy is different in Japan. Maybe the famiily will rearrange things when the children are teenagers.
What I didn't like is that the WC is so close to the kitchen/dining. Let's hope they have good ventilation in both areas.
amazing how efficient this is!
The floor plan and design choices are well thought out, but for me personally all the white curtains remind me of an emergency room.
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A nice subtitle font and colour would be ideal. The TH-cam CC subtitles are hurting my eyes
Is there really only one toilet, on the 2nd floor, for the entire family? What do they do if they all catch the stomach flu? And, how do both kids do homework in their bedroom at the same time? It does not appear that both desks can be in use at the same time. What if one child needs to get a drink or use the restroom? Do they have to parkour out of the bedroom? So many questions!!!
This family loves curtains 😆! It's personally not my cup of tea...
i love the use of the space as it fits the clients life and the children.
the curtains is a bit much for me, but it isn't my home and if this makes more sense and cost effective ... +1
i love the kitchen and bathroom as wel las the sep toilet
Oh and I love the color and texture of the outside of the house. so beautiful and that front door as sliding +1
I am concerned with the insulation from the roof...how would that work in the winter?
Arigato ❤
Contender for my second favorite home on the channel (and not just because I want a climbing wall). I like the adequately sized kitchen and relative lack of transforming furniture. And it has a couch I wouldn't mind relaxing on-- a relative rarity on channels like this.
I really like the functionality, but I am not a fan of that unfinished wood aesthetic. Still, they have a way to make the place look less cluttered, and I am a big fan of flyscreens, so I think they put their money in the important areas. You can always paint or stain the wood later on.
At last a budget friendly home
Love this!
I wonder if in many European countries they would allow a wood house in the middle of a residential area like this one. We tend to be paranoid with fire hazards and especially in Southern Europe we face the constant threat of wild fires. This house is indeed beautiful and very efficient.
I'm sure it's treated in some way to be fire resistant, or else follow fire regulations in some way...Japan doesn't strike me as an under-regulated place.
I’ve seen wood houses in residential areas in Bucharest (Romania)
I love it
Beautiful home ❤❤❤❤❤.
As for me, rotating kids room and kitchen will bring much more comfort and peace to a family.
Where oh where can I find retractable bug screens?
2:30 excelente la idea del escritorio. Me gustaría que añadan subtítulos en español, gracias
Meu like é o 3,4 mil!
IKEA sells those long curtains and very cool wire rods to do whole walls of curtains for a good price. I like many of the things in this house. The long narrow sink in the bathroom instead of the boxy laundry tubs in the USA
I think there's quite a bit of IKEA in that house.
Awesome
Great design!
By no means is this house small. Feels pretty big to me even with all the stuff that is filled in the house.
I love the white linen used throughout the space. It works for especially against the soft wood tones.
His comment on the the population decline in Japan is eerily positive. I think it's sad. The world needs more Japanese people.
May i know what the curtain fabric is? Or where I can buy it please? Link? Thank you.
I LOVE it! But sorry is not that small... although it's a clever use of the space
recently I start to watch rock climbing video and now the house come with rock climbing wall. What a coincidence
Hopefully, by the time those kids are in their teens, their dad can build them their own tiny houses 😂
How do they use the underfoor storage? Is it a true root cellar?
Family of 4 living in 57sqm? Brilliant design, but it's a bit tight and sad at the same time.
Utsukushī
Nice❤
Wow, so much is going on on only 57 sqm!
I caught about 100 English loan words in this video
Having a rock climbing wall of that height with no safety ropes is a great way for kids to injure themselves. Good job 😂
Agreed