How an Architect Fit 7 Floors into His 645-Square-Foot Tokyo Home | Architectural Digest

[@ExtraNope]

It's wonderful to see an architect using a space rather than a celebrity taking up space. Thank you for finally giving us some top quality, relevant content.

[@mkhanman12345]

I just freaking love content.

[@MarinaMrls]

100% agree!

[@akaiwrx]

I've never understood space for the sake of space. Everything in the house needs to be practical and beautiful for me. I had a friend whose parents had a 10,000 sq ft, 4 level mansion that felt so unused and barren because there was just a lot of emptiness in there.

[@heathergildea]

I agree I would love to see more architects homes

[@wh0tube]

Ouch! 😁

[@alicealice0613]

this house is an absolute toddler ender but i love it

[@Jamoon999]

i was thinking the same thing the whole video :)

[@kikiblipblop3047]

i was thinking this house is super kid unfriendly but thats clearly nit what they were plannign for so its not an issue

[@KJF-ny]

Especially when he was speaking about the family dynamic changing. I was like, all those little crawl/roll spots are going to be a disaster.

[@yetresa]

was looking for this comment xD

[@Robertoayon]

No toddlers, no drunks and no visitors. Other than that, great house.

[@camyu19]

This is as much a structural engineering feat as it is an architectural masterpiece considering the materials and the design challenges (floating slabs, seismic etc)

[@93hothead]

Yea the structural engineers not getting any credit for this

[@rayanmusaabubakar3608]

@@93hothead You might want to read what this channel is.

[@zitronekoma30]

@@93hothead you should watch structural engineering digest

[@Omega_SM]

@@rayanmusaabubakar3608 Architects should still give credit to engineers like engineers should credit the architects for the designs and blueprints

[@zuhung98]

Architects dream is always the engineers nightmare

[@miterca]

I love that this done is done in his language and not dubbed over. Love this!

[@minigiant8998]

i dont love it bc the CC covered half the screen

[@minigiant8998]

@@tailgatecarpenter26 macbook

[@debzeb6899]

I loved that too. It reminds me that we are listening to an interpretation of his narrative.

[@rakeera]

I’m Korean and we usually watch most foreign stuff with subtitles, so actually dubbed videos are always weird. It’s just so much better to actually feel the original voice

[@99txgh]

@@minigiant8998you’re exaggerating

[@AA-xd9fg]

At lassst! An architect not just random celebrity..

[@JosseMeza]

🎉🎉🎉 same

[@MRLONG758]

They literally have a series with an architect they post regularly

[@Goldaction0]

You must be new here 😂

[@miterca]

Exactly!!!

[@yunglordkami]

ahh, a hater.

[@valarya]

I've always been obsessed with multi-level small homes, and there's something about the simplicity and efficiency of the Japanese and their design. Thank you for doing this in the original language. So much of that wouldn't pass inspection where I live (no railings), but it's incredible they were able to build this. I love it!

[@fajarsetiawan8665]

simplicity??? that house is a full-on fall hazard

[@debzeb6899]

There were a lot of railings in there - at first I had the same thought but they were well integrated.

[@fajarsetiawan8665]

@@debzeb6899 are you blind or just dumb?

[@nr.v4009]

Do you have any other sources? I find this house fascinating!

[@riderchallenge4250]

he could have built well developed 3 floor house with 2 bedrooms

[@boppityboopity]

Dangerously beautiful! Hopefully they age gracefully and never have an injury...

[@aikapalis4219]

Same thoughts. I'm young, but don't trust my balance this much. Those stairs and lack of barriers will surely take me out. 😂

[@BettinaSchnerr]

Same thoughts here. As cool as it looks, as frightening it is. A total lack of railings and protection - and even if being young and sportive, a fever already or a sports injury could make you wobbly enough, so that you might need something to hold onto when you move.

[@lukeflyswatter3203]

Yeah, stairs are very dangerous for seniors. I worried all the time about my Dad and the multi-story house he lived in.

[@bethhumphreys110]

At the very least I would be fetching the pencil or spoon or whatever that I dropped that cascaded to another floor.

[@ErikSear]

Yeah, I mean you could fix some of those gaps with glass and add railings. Strange they aren't required to by building code

[@fuego09esmeralda]

I love this design, though I don't know if I'd get used to live in such a space... I'd dread falling through the gaps or sides... 🙂

[@johnbarker8504]

If I would get used to living (gerund) Sorry! I'm an English teacher. Here 'to' is a preposition 😊

[@fuego09esmeralda]

@@johnbarker8504 Thank you...! I appreciate the correction...! 🙂👍 Can you more formally state the rule, formula or structure so that I can better remember it next time, please...?

[@madibrianna]

@@fuego09esmeralda "Living" is functioning as a noun in the sentence. "Used to" is the verb, and "living" is the object - the thing you are used to!

[@Stundtals]

seems like living in a vent to me... no area is inviting/cozy or seems logical to sit. I guess they don't entertain much... but yeah great he/they made something that works for him/them.

[@susanaaragorn8606]

​@@Stundtalsalso in a earthquake prone country, open shelves and books is not so clever...

[@Jessica-kk1cz]

This is one of the most interesting spaces I’ve ever seen. And I watch a lot of these types of shows. Absolutely beautiful. I especially love the consideration of light, texture, engineering, material, layout, function. It has an almost ethereal quality.

[@fajarsetiawan8665]

They must be so confident in their impeccable health for having rail-less stairs and many unfenced half-floors.

[@HomeWorkouts_LS]

Also I’m surprised it’s not a requirement in their building code like some other countries

[@jigpig6184]

It is beautiful though… 😅

[@davidlaki]

My thoughts exactly

[@GenesisGunn]

I don't like it at all. All I see is Safety hazards and hoarding. Can't raise a family in that

[@cameronjordan2705]

@@GenesisGunn who said they wanted a family ?

[@DeividSales-sb5lg]

4:36 As a Brazilian, seeing a book about the great Oscar Niemeyer on his bookshelf really made me happy.

[@ganesansanthanam-5896]

Bro he is one of the GOAT 🐐 of modern architecture. Brazilians should also be proud of this guy as much as any footballer

[@mocroc672]

Me too! The choice of a brutalist style for the house really made sense after seeing his Oscar Niemeyer books!

[@susanaaragorn8606]

​@@mocroc672yes, I was thinking I guess we know who he admires...i don,t like that brutalist style for homes, it is too cold

[@raindrainxi]

He's an architect, and Niemeyer should always be prominent in any architect's bookshelf imo.

[@henka899]

The design is not for me, but respect to the architect who lives in his own designed house.

[@Stundtals]

agree! to me its dystopian a f but happy he created something he likes

[@nogfrog]

@@Stundtalsi wanna know how this is dystopian to you, just curious

[@_Booker_DeWitt]

@@nogfrog I'm guessing it's because the walls are grey concrete slabs. It could appear too minimalist/brutalist to some. Not everybody's cup of tea, but I think it looks great.

[@justadummy8076]

@@_Booker_DeWitt It’s not the aesthetic that turns me off this house, it’s the falling hazards!

[@weaselsdawg]

@@nogfrog I could also see the perspective that these sorts of adaptations to smaller and smaller living spaces being so aestheticized is kind of like a repackaging of the reality that more and more normal people are being forced to accept less area to live in due to wealth inequality.

[@swisskristin12]

I would be in constant fear of tripping and falling to my death.

[@jenm1]

I think he designed it that way on purpose. Keeps you on your toes, like a lil ape

[@JaredDixon]

One of the best uses of limited space I have ever seen.

[@fajarsetiawan8665]

more like hazardous

[@griefer5846]

@@fajarsetiawan8665good point, but i guess overtime you’d get used to it

[@LanceHayabusa]

all space is limited you dunce

[@thekingofpotatoes1932]

​@LanceHayabusa and yet it carries additional meaning in this context, you never learned how language works?

[@treasurewuji8740]

@@griefer5846just like how Americans get used to house being built out of woods😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@eiburee]

This has got to be my favorite house I’ve ever seen on this channel, if not in general. Something about the design just scratches an itch in my brain. I’d live here in a heartbeat if I could

[@MrOshirinoana]

You can fall down like a ball in a pachinko machine in that structure.

[@RicodiEvolo]

It's beautiful, I just hope no one ever has a dizzy spell and fall to one of the floors below :o

[@studiodeleon4945]

This architect created a stunning living space. Very beautiful in simplicity and function. I love this! Its jaw dropping. I also love how he took the time to explain details of living such as hanging clothes inside vs outside. And I love his understanding of the significance for daylight and how it can expand an indoor space. Gorgeous design. Thank you for sharing this!

[@claire2088]

what a beautiful functional house, it's so nice to see a truely unique house designed to suit people (rather than impress algorithms). This house wouldn't suit me personally, but it seems like it suits them perfectly- and it's their house! I feel like having homes that are designed with the person who lives there in mind rather than some hypothetical future buyer allows a space to come alive. He seems like the sort of person who could craft a wonderful space for a huge range of people.

[@AP12360]

I love the bathroom. It has plenty of light and features a modern, simple design. The drying rods for clothes are a clever addition, too. However, I worry that there are no safety railings for the staircase or the large open window.

[@andrewhooper7603]

the bathroom is nice, but i have feelings about it being directly above the kitchen.

[@Cre-Art]

Brilliant design. The layout is so clever, you don't feel like it's a small space, just interesting, cozy and fun.

[@grasz]

Really hard to pull off the "don't feel like it's a small space" & "cozy" together.

[@ophello]

Looks terrible and hostile.

[@rachelnidhugain5398]

I ❤ this house! The intentionality behind its design, being able to sense each other's presence in each room, and then creating a beautiful library space.... definitely one of my all time favourites! ❤ More like this, AD!!

[@fajarsetiawan8665]

is that their excuse for not having rails and fences?? PRESENCE???

[@akirebara]

i love the design, although a lot of it would never fly in the US because of building codes (the laundry/bath area not having railings is a safety risk) and the stairs not having any hand support. i do wonder, every time you need to go to the bathroom, you have to go 3 flights of stairs to relieve yourself. nonetheless, i love this house for them.

[@UpUpDnDnLtRtLtRtBAStart]

i agree. I love the design but even I trip or stumble every now and then in a flat room. This would be disastrous.

[@mdhazeldine]

It's called exercise. I know it's a foreign concept in the U.S. but it is quite a useful thing 😂

[@360stab]

@@mdhazeldine if you need to design a house with toilet on top floor in order to get some exercise in your life you're doing something wrong. It's just impractical. After living in a 2 story house with 1 toilet I know this annoyance personally.

[@mdhazeldine]

@@360stab You're putting words in my mouth. Of course you should go outside and get exercise. However, sometimes when we make life too convenient, it's bad for us. Having to go upstairs to the toilet seems to be enough of an inconvenience to be annoying to you, but if you add up all the trips you take over a year, it probably makes quite a difference to your health without you even really noticing that much. Not all inconvenience is bad.

[@Salmacream]

@@mdhazeldine I need that on a shirt or a poster, so I don't have to remember it; so inconvenient Ahahaha

[@willcookmakeup]

Now THIS is how you do design. It is so smart, so personal, and simply beautiful. Absolutely one of my favorites featured in a long time. It would be a dream to live here

[@NurDiyanaMdNasir]

Such a brilliant architect! I love watching videos of house tours, and this has to be among those that really impressed me. I like that he mentioned these two things too: 1) "We placed a value of having a space where we could sense each other's presence." 2) "I wanted to be able to store as many books as I own as possible, so I made this entire wall a bookcase with my books."

[@mensrea1251]

A house for the young. And the young at heart. ❤️

[@CharlotteIssyvoo]

And, most importantly, the young - and abled - in *body*.

[@ronaldchieron3416]

We said groundbreaking ideas, not bonebreaking.

[@philiq18]

Brilliant! He really thought through vertical space and multi-function in such a small building footprint. The industrial look with the poured cement walls works with the rest of the house. Not much to be said beyond this is a great build.

[@normansantos3949]

I love how he executed the functionality of different levels of space. It's so wow!!!😮😮😮 It doesn't look like small space at all!! Love it!!😃🤗😁

[@heidibear44]

Such freedom of movement in this space. Love it

[@sensto]

The execution of their ideas was beautifully done, and they effectively used the space. Great video.

[@kbelle4138]

love love love this house...the light, the design, the space - so very thoughtful and seamless...wonderful.

[@mihaidiaconescu7452]

Very well thought out and beautifully constructed. For a westerner, it feels like it lacks privacy, especially when you'd be entertaining guests.

[@Volkbrecht]

There is no space to house guests :). But I share your sentiment. This looks like an awesome place to live in alone, but a nightmare to share with another human being, even if that person is your spouse.

[@24eu]

Maybe not to have guests sleep but definitely could have people visit… What privacy are you lacking, toilet is boxes away and bath can be shut and isn’t clear…

[@Volkbrecht]

@@24eu Have you ever lived with other people? Parents? A spouse? At some point people generally want to be just by themselves for an hour or two. Just peace and quiet. Me-time.

[@champiggyfrm_pig5271]

​@@Volkbrechtif someone is on the floor with the bed and the other down near the entrance, you can have the privacy you need

[@debzeb6899]

Incredibly inspiring design thinking. There were so many ideas here that disrupt traditional layout. Thank you for sharing.

[@ang2624]

''we also placed value on having a space where we could sense each other's presence''

[@urhor]

Masato Igarashi's articulation is commendable and his philosophy of architecture resonates with me. Great video as always!

[@yashwanthchoudary8302]

I love when architects are at their creative best

[@klaymoon1]

Wow, it looks amazing!! Those floating concrete steps scare me by just watching them. :)

[@andyt3343]

Aesthetically interesting, but having that kitchen with no real emphasis on ventilation of food being prepared and cooked will mean that the smell will permeate throughout the entire studio complex.

[@24eu]

It has an extractor above the hobs and one side of a small building is virutally entirely windows

[@katie9735]

You didn’t see all the scary open wall windows?

[@andyt3343]

Yeah saw them both, but my experience is that it still doesn't go away unless you direct it with a fan

[@Cssfiend]

its okay, the laundry drying just above the kitchen will absorb all the odours

[@sunnymountainhoneyfountain]

I’m obsessed with this house. The way it all fits together is amazing

[@mehoyminoy1326]

Love the design but not super kid or elderly friendly. Would be interesting to see how this holds up as they age or with future generations. “Sugoi desu ne!”

[@AP12360]

I have been to Japan several times and the elderly climb stairs every day. They walk and do manual labor frequently, which contributes to the overall health of Japanese people.

[@mehoyminoy1326]

@@AP12360 no no the stairs are fine and definitely maintains health and fitness. I’m talking about the lack of guardrails.

[@jenl2530]

@@mehoyminoy1326 Quite dangerous. Even someone middle aged could slip and fall down a couple of stories.

[@meliabelle0910]

Thought the same. Glass railings could be a future solution as it would provide safety but also maintain the open feel of the space…

[@ui9cx]

i dont know why but im so fascinated by this house specifically, i love its design so much!

[@ingchinprasert5264]

Such a beautiful space and i specifically love the large bookcase as well as the plants dotted around the house. It amazing to see how talented this architect is as he makes great use of the space and there’s intention in all areas of the house. Just simply beautiful!

[@-giakhanh--kayden-8337]

The lack of balustres is a serious hazard as beautiful as it is. Someone could get nauseous, trip, and fall several stories down

[@gaetano3538]

This is a typical design characteristic in Japan of not having railings, or just a single rail.

[@am-ir2bx]

​@@gaetano3538 Wait really? Despite having such a large elderly population?

[@24eu]

@@am-ir2bxJapanese elderly people are typically much more able bodied than uk for example But not because they are some physically alien species, if uk didn’t worry about safety and prioritised preventing health problems and proactively keeping fit through things like walking up stairs and choosing the active inconvenient choices throughout life

[@ygjnse]

This is one of the greatest houses I have seen and it really seems like a place I would enjoy living in! It's looks and usage of space are wonderful. My only minus, since there always has to be criticism, is the sliding front door which I dislike. Over all this seems like an amazing living space. I would love to live somewhere with such great design and architecture!

[@himadrishastri2610]

Amazing concept . Incredible use of space. Kudos 🎉

[@julianloef202]

I love your philosophy ' the room changes to my needs'. Very intriguing design!

[@ttplayz2.1]

minimalism at its peak this vid just make me want to build one for me. Concept of the house is so amazing.

[@mnml_blk]

I enjoy the concrete walls and overall aesthetic. That library wall is aspirational, but all of those platforms opening up to sheer drops into the void is very unsettling. I’m not afraid of heights per se, but it kept making my stomach go funny.

[@abandonment]

the void lmao this isn't minecraft bro

[@mnml_blk]

@@abandonment "void (noun) a: OPENING, GAP b: empty space : EMPTINESS, VACUUM"

[@wadetanner2601]

Levels. I'm getting rid of all my furniture. All of it. And I'm going to build these different levels, with steps, and it'll all be carpeted with a lot of pillows. You know, like ancient Egypt.

[@hs_0208_]

He forgot to mention this Kramer inspo 😂

[@iasmith2]

“It’s not that I don’t think you can- I know that you can’t and I’m positive that you won’t” But He Did!

[@lewiswilliams1893]

That's the bet.

[@teenytinytoons]

This nearly put a tear in my eye. Just absolutely beautiful.

[@gardgarland5293]

Absolutely stunning. I appreciate his problem solving skills intrinsic in this design. Obviously not designed for a family, the elderly or those with suburban sensibilities.

[@danielmoore908]

best small house design ive seen so far on AD or anywhere❤

[@vasilikonstan]

11:03 This is amazeballs

[@rabbitsandphilodendron]

absolutely beautiful, amazing execution and still very aesthetic. though not very clumsy-person friendly to live in.

[@rajeshwariguha815]

I loved the way he has designed so effectively considering the tight space and making it appear open & spacious. would love to live here !

[@elpis9596]

I love the openess of this small house! Nonetheless... those books and objects on open shelves are safe for earthquakes in Tokyo?

[@nestorenriquez3284]

This is why architects are essentials in building your own dream house. They really immortalize your idea and vision.

[@Iceman2001]

One of the best AD videos in a while, amazing house.

[@gasagebia]

Beautiful and one of the most interesting houses ever featured on here

[@goudagirl6095]

That's a LOT of house inside such a small footprint, beautifully done, with lovely materials!

[@MakeMeThinkAgain]

Stunning and so practical. Also the opposite of Universal Design -- ADA fans would plotz seeing this. Let's hope they never break their legs or ankles.

[@eduardkhaimov9927]

Dangerously designed beautifully thought. It's very much like an architectural model not a functional house.

[@Adam-p8y2s]

wonderful design !!! top notch quality, also structural engineering deserved to be praised too there is so much challenges structure

[@photogsherry]

Fascinating and marvelous use of space where you define the space not the space defining you.

[@happyhattergamer8078]

As a civil engineering student, it astounds me how he was able to fit all of this into such a small space, especially considering all the things that have to be considered!

[@el_zahirp]

that concrete stairs are amazing!

[@Bob-l7m2g]

I like the light in the top part of the house, as well as the bathroom. I would probably spend all of my time with my legs dangling over the bathroom edge, reading a book in the sunlight. I would have put the bedroom where the bathroom is for the mentioned reasons.

[@opwave79]

He took building vertically (a common space saving strategy) to ingenious levels. I mean this literally and figuratively. Brilliant.

[@evanniseventy702]

This house should be in a museum

[@myrnaedmisten599]

Pretty amazing design … for young people.

[@AP12360]

I have been to Japan several times and the elderly climb stairs every day.

[@catemoon]

But not too young! This is a nightmare for toddlers.

[@asadxo]

Lmao planning permission surveyors in the UK would have a heart attack over this

[@LeoRibeiro__]

Such a beautiful house and a well executed idea. This multi-level design in such a city/conditions are quite interesting, however I wonder in terms accessibility and aging wise how could it be made better.

[@Jessicablooming]

Masterfully done! I love every aspect, like a journey through a book.

[@leathersosoft2798]

This is the best one I've seen for a small space.

[@jm2307]

Absolutely incredible design. So thoughtful. Inspired!

[@hamiltonwilliamdossantos9305]

Oscar Niemeyer's book is a must in this library! Lovely

[@chahollington7307]

Wow. Such spaciousness and freedom created in a constraiend space. and their materials are so interesting to the eye, yet very natural. I do think they need a curtain of some kind to make their bedspace more cosy

[@2ndAveScents]

Now THAT is how you make a small house! So freaking cool and cozy!

[@whitneylake2107]

Brilliant use of space. Thank you for the tour !

[@thecleaner94]

THIS is what architectural digest should be. It’s not interior design digest like it is for most celebrities. When y’all have people explain the thought process behind the ARCHITECTURE whether it be a specific house, building style or public building that is when yall shine. That is want the people want. Not a classier remake of MTV cribs. Though I do like the episodes when the celebrities can actually speak about the architecture and design. More of this!

[@007lisle]

Your house, your rules! 💖💖 I love how he utilizes every space. This place might take a little getting used to for someone like me, but nonetheless, it's great!

[@kristenlee2357]

Very cool! I do think this would be an accessibility nightmare for people with sight or mobility issues. I hope this guy never needs a cane.

[@baronm.2137]

Simply... I love Japan!

[@Insane_Asylum_official]

This is a beautiful design and quite obviously custom made for him and his family it definitely is beautiful and at the same time has some small flaws which might be inconvenient for other people but isn't a problem for him and his family. Very thought out I believe.

[@notscandi]

he's a genius, this is beautiful

[@tejassharma8569]

Looks wonderful and inviting but I strongly advice to get railings added and at least a half-height glass back-wall in areas like behind the kitchen -- when it comes to safety, you definitely do not want to take chances.

[@NOTMARCOSTE]

I haven't been this amazed in years

[@whirledpeas5717]

I love this house and it scares ne to no end. I'd totally fall through an open space and splat.

[@lekoraxx5406]

Wow watching this already gives a cozy atmosphere

[@tylkopytam]

Japan has the best architecture

[@triziamae16]

What some of the people in the comment section don't understand is that as an architect we prioritize what we consider the beauty of the artwork we make (especially our 'dream house') and safety, although 'sometimes' is considered too, but not so much. Maybe that is why there is a saying 'the Architect's dream, is an Engineer's nightmare'. 😂

[@akhilkumarps]

No one can beat Japanese minimalism and the style that brings into this world.

[@bradpatrick3856]

Super interesting design and cozy even in an austere way, however there are a number of safety concerns throughout. Definitely not suitable for older folks or mobility impaired. The floor to ceiling window at 11:03 opens up onto an unguarded drop (!). Beautiful but calamitous.

[@stevenjames5874]

Thanks for the listening practice! おはようございます いがらしさま！

[@WayOfHaQodesh]

This was so beautiful. Thank you for sharing. Inspiring designs.

[@AliasHSW]

Avant garde and simultaneously humble design

[@COD0307]

this is an amazing design..love it. congrats on your build

[@annyd3729]

as much as I love the design and would love to experience living in such a space, I would also be dead scared of somehow slipping down the floors due to the lack of railings or fences/ guards. The lack of privacy of a room might also be bothersome at times but then again, this is perhaps the best one could do with such a small space. kudos to the vision of the architect

[@noproblem2big337]

Great floor plan and use of space and height 10/10👍