Three-Story Minimalist Space Saver for Three-Generation Tokyo Family

Fifty square meters. That’s about the size of a US living room, a European studio and an entire floor of a Japanese three-story home – as typified by the Ozawa Design S House, in Tokyo. Not only is the home situated on a small and narrow corner plot, it also has to fit the different needs and purposes of a three generation family. Sure enough, Shunichi Ozawa and Atsuko Ozawa had their work cut out for them when they embarked on this project. The result, a minimalist paneled house, with angular lines, glazed multi-story walls and remarkably functional interiors. First off, they placed the main structure at the back of the plot, so as to make room for a car outside. The cantilevered upper floors provide shade for the parking space and extend the space inside. The entire structure of the home is in concrete, for a small footprint, and the protruding volume is paneled for shade and privacy.

The different generations were appeased by thorough floor planning. The elders occupy the ground floor, with a bedroom and a washroom, while the younger set have plenty of room to romp on the third level. In between, a shared meeting space, for the entire family to assemble in the open space living, dining and kitchen area. There is a profuse Asian sensibility characterizing the interior décor, dominated by the white walls, light-weight apparent timber frames and natural wood furniture. Light-toned wood was used for the furniture, in order to further enhance the illusion of space. The S House is a perfect illustration of the popular piece of wisdom that says that a little imagination and frugality can go a long way when building constraints are tight.

(Source: OzawaDesign.com)