Yoshino-Sugi Cedar House by Samara
Created for House Vision 2016: Tokyo, this cedar house was designed by AirBNB’s new multi-disciplinary innovation and designs studio, Samara. The goal was to use architecture to encourage a deeper bond between hosts and their guests, and ‘Yoshino-Sugi Cedar House’ features an open-air bottom level with a gabled loft for overnight guests. After the exhibit, the house will be moved to a riverside location in Yoshino and listed on AirBNB.
Inside-Out Furniture-Room by Jun Igarashi
Also making its debut at House Vision 2016:Tokyo, ‘The Inside-out Furniture Room’ by Jun Igarashi offers a central, furniture-free space that connects to external rooms set aside for various purposes like working, relaxing, bathing and dining. Each of these rooms has its own built-in furniture. While not exactly space-saving, it’s an interesting approach to organizing functional space in a home, especially if you prefer to have small sectioned-off areas instead of an open plan.
Rental Space Tower by Sou Fujimoto
Another innovative approach to housing puts only bedrooms and bathrooms in private spaces, with living rooms, dining rooms and other typical areas of an apartment turned into communal space. Sou Fujimoto’s ‘Rental Space Tower’ encourages socializing with your neighbors through premium shared spaces with theater rooms, spacious tubs and other amenities. The individual apartments are connected with a system of pathways and terraces.
Gandare Peeling Facade by Ninkipen!
The exterior paneling on the facade of this narrow three-story home in a high-density neighborhood in Neyagawa City peels up to create a shady alcove beneath it, extending the garage area. The design, by Tokyo-based studio Ninkipen! includes a low-ceilinged first floor so the upper levels can enjoy an airy, sunny high ceiling with bigger windows.
