The challenge of designing a house with a tight budget and space constraints, together with the essential duty of responding correctly to the requirements of the user, is sometimes one of the most challenging and motivating tasks an architect can face. How can you take advantage of space most effectively? How can you avoid wasted material? How do you anticipate the possible future expansion of the house? And how do you develop a simple design that also delivers value to its inhabitants?
To help you in this process, we scoured our projects archives to select 30 houses that provide interesting architectural solutions despite measuring less than 100 square meters.
Built to Not Last: The Japanese Trend of Replacing Homes Every 30 Years
In most countries around the world, value is placed on older buildings. There’s something about the history, originality, and charm of an older home that causes their value to sometimes be higher than newly constructed projects. But in Japan, the opposite is almost always the preference. Newly-built homes are the crux of a housing market where homes are almost never sold and the obsession with razing and rebuilding is as much a cultural thing as it is a safety concern, bringing 30-year-old homes to a valueless market.
House in Oyamadai / Nobuo Araki/The Archetype
-
Architects: Nobuo Araki/The Archetype
- Area: 208 m²
- Year: 2015
The Mass “Harajuku Expanding Landscape Project” / Nobuo Araki/The Archetype
-
Architects: Nobuo Araki/The Archetype
- Area: 117 m²
- Year: 2016
Retail Stores Under 100 Square Meters: Examples in Plan and Section
Designing commercial spaces has historically been a challenge. In these environments, spatial distribution plays a fundamental role, even more so if we have a few extra square meters. With this being said, the study of these spaces in plan and section can be a great starting point. It not only allows us to analyze the logistics and circulation of customers but also helps us find efficient variations and innovations that will enable your store to stand out from the others.
Below, we've selected a series of 25 examples in plan and section that can help you understand how different architects faced the challenge.
retaW store Harajuku / Nobuo Araki/The Archetype
-
Architects: Nobuo Araki/The Archetype
- Area: 26 m²
- Year: 2016
-
Manufacturers: Azumaya, D-Line, Daiko, Flos, Lixil Corporation, +3
Office in Sendagaya / Yoshi Kishida/2001
-
Architects: Yoshi Kishida/2001
- Area: 90 m²
- Year: 2015
-
Manufacturers: DN Lighting, Sanwa, Toto
-
Professionals: ROOVICE
House in Bandoubashi / 2001
House in Fukaya / Nobuo Araki
-
Architects: Nobuo Araki
- Area: 90 m²
- Year: 2015
-
Professionals: G.DeSIGN, On&Off, SH, Watanabetomi Corporation
House in Daizawa / Nobuo Araki
-
Architects: Nobuo Araki
- Area: 66 m²
- Year: 2013
-
Professionals: G.DeSIGN, On&Off, Watanabetomi Corporation
House In Mishuku Ⅱ / Nobuo Araki
-
Architects: Nobuo Araki
- Area: 7142 m²
- Year: 2013
-
Professionals: G.DeSIGN, On&Off, Watanabetomi Corporation
House in Mejirodai / Mejiro Studio + Kozo Kadowaki
-
Architects: Mejiro Studio + Kozo Kadowaki
- Area: 165 m²
- Year: 2010