Tiny Home in Japan is the Ultimate Space Maximizer
When it comes to design, Japan has an inimitable style and consciousness that has made it famous all over the world. The country’s minimalist sensibilities and long history of quality craftsmanship have gone on to influence countless projects in the modern era.
Given how densely populated the small island nation is, it makes sense that Japanese designers would also be adept at squeezing the most out of the square meterage they have to work with. The Y House (or Gap House) by STORE MUU design studio is a testament to exactly that. Situated near Sagami Bay in the Kanagawa prefecture, the home takes up just 60 square meters. Make no mistake, though — it feels gigantic thanks to its clever and efficient use of space. As its second name suggests, the Gap House is slotted into a gap between two existing buildings in a residential area.
The rear of the house rises three stories and boasts a much steeper pitched roof. A recess has been cut out above the ground floor to create a covered outdoor area for lounging and entertaining guests. The external transition from two to three stories reflects the unique floor plan within, which splits the house into different levels connected by a number of staircases to maximize the amount of available space (topping out at about 100 sqaure meters). Since the different levels create natural divisions between each room, the need for walls has also been eliminated. This gives the residents even more room to work with, as proper walls would only eat into the interiors.
The architects have said that the family who will be inhabiting the house has a very close relationship, so privacy is not so much of an issue. They explain: “This house was aimed at taking advantage of site and space in three dimensions. We feel pleasant breeze due to windows on the north and south sides, and the warm air [is] discharged to the upper space by the skip floors and stairs without risers.”