A Compact House with No Internal Partitions

The architectural firm Coil Kazuteru Matsumura had to juggle with constraints when building F-House in the city of Hirakata-shi in north-eastern Osaka. The regulations in force in this residential district set the maximum living space at 57 square metres. This is a somewhat small area to house a couple and their two young children, but one that is becoming increasingly normal in Japan where property is a source of tension, particularly in cities. This has led architects to develop buildings that defy the limitations on space, an innovation that architectural firm Atelier Bow-Wow christened Pet Architecture. 

A framework made from Yoshino cedar

To adhere to the constraints, the firm designed a square-based two-storey house, where the organisation of living spaces is optimised. The house draws on one predominant element: wood. In addition to its framework, the façade of the residence is also made from Yoshino cedar, known for its durability. Inside, the wood of these conifers also features prominently in the floors, ceilings, and furniture. On the ground floor, the living and dining area and kitchen all form one room. To separate the space from the entrance and stairs, the architects created a custom-made wooden bookcase to act as a partition. 

On the first floor, the bathroom is a separate space, but the parents’ and children’s bedrooms are open-plan. There are no solid boundaries between the areas; instead, the architects decided to separate them using curtains. These soft partitions divide the spaces into separate zones when privacy is required, without compromising on light. A touch of originality comes in the fact that one of the living room walls has a climbing wall for the children. This recreational element is reminiscent of Court House, created by the architects at Koizumi Sekkei, which is built around a basketball court. 

F-House (2020), a residence designed by Coil Kazuteru Matsumura Architects, can be viewed on the firm’s website.