NEVER TOO SMALL: Elderly Mother & Son’s Small Apartment, Japan - 46sqm/495sqf

Originally an outdated apartment with an impractical layout, Kumiko Ouchi of Small Design Studio completely redesigned the aptly named The House for Two, significantly changing the layout so that mother and son could live comfortably together without sacrificing their privacy. Key to the overall design was relocating the kitchen to the brightest area of the home overlooking the garden, allowing the creation of a practical, open plan kitchen, living and dining area. The mother’s bedroom is neatly tucked away behind the utility and laundry space, whilst a sofa bench with built-in storage in the living room converts to the son’s bedroom at night. The majority of the home's remaining storage is contained to the hallway in cleverly concealed wardrobes on either side of the passage. The increasing prevalence of multi-generational living, not only in Japan, makes designs such this one a valuable model for creating private and shared communal spaces within a small footprint home.

#smallapartment #architecture #interiordesign

Eps no. 121
Project Name: the house for two

Produced by New Mac Video Agency
Creator: Colin Chee
Director/Camera Operator: Nam Tran
Producer: Lindsay Barnard
Editor: Sebastian Tibbs
Music: Unwind by Simon Wester & Pilgrim by Some Were at Sea

[Chrissieb.rackett]

This is a beautiful home but the step down to the living room left me in a cold sweat. I have a step down in my home and my elderly mom fell on it breaking her ankle. It was awful!! I’ve noticed how careful elderly people are on uneven floors because of the risk of falling.

[teddysdadcory]

Kumiko doesn’t seem to be bound by the typical conventionalities of residential design. Most architects would force the design into a standard two bedroom layout, but she listened to the clients and embraced their unique needs to create something totally outside the box. If I ever visit Japan, I would be absolutely honored to meet Ms. Ouchi in person and learn more about her approach to design. What a talented creator, and what a beautiful space! I hope it brings many years of joy to the owners.

[micdaveydancer]

It’s crazy how my apartment is 56 square meters and doesn’t hold even half of what this place does. Just shows you what good architecture and interior design can do. Whoever designed my building was not the best 😅

[lizsays]

Don't know what health issues mom has, but based on experience with my elderly parents/in-laws, having mom's bed so close to the bathroom is a smart move. And I sleep sooo much better in the dark, so her cubby is perfect for me. I also like how the sleeping areas and clothing storage are on opposite ends of the apartment. The open living, dining, and kitchen combined makes the apartment seem bigger. And all the storage. She clearly listened to the clients wishes and designed the space for them. Love it!

[LifeofWalk]

Pretty cool. I like how the man is doing the best for his elderly mom

[_w_w_]

Nice and modern design but I really question the choice for sleeping quarters. Basically, she is sleeping in the closet and him on the couch.

[PS-fghp]

i gotta agree with a lot of the other comments, mum's bedroom is too narrow and having her clothes hanging overhead makes it even more like a closet (although having a direct view of the balcony helps add visual space). A wheelchair should fit her bedside walkspace (or at least wide-enough that she wouldn't have to walk sideways through it) . I would have chosen a slightly narrower living-dining-kitchen space just to give mum's room more width. It would also be nicer if there's are long cubby hole built into the adjacent wall to mum's bed. This could double-duty as a grabrail. Other that that, it's a wonderful design.

[misssmith]

This is designed with such care. The emotional needs of humans in a house were really well planned. In particular, the bio-fuel living room fire, the gas stove at the center of the kitchen, the cocooned bed for the Mom, and her extra bathroom access door. Absolutely beautifully done.

[sinaain]

I am surprised that there is a step to the living room since the apartment was designed for an elderly person in mind. I would avoid all steps because who knows if the elderly person will need a wheelchair or will otherwise be limited in their mobility in some ways.

[juli]

Adult generations living with their parents has been a trend in other parts in the world too. Serbia for instance. We’re becoming a nation of the elderly. Great design!

[xpertdiate]

A good son taking care of his old mother.

[thaiwatchdog]

This hits home for me not just the design (which is nice) but also the story. My own mother will approach that age in the coming years and I’ll also need to do what the son does. Much respect to him

[davidjamessussex]

It is very beautiful. The kitchen, utility and bathroom are spectacular. I’m sure I would need a room of my own if I lived with my mother. That son is a saint to sleep in the sitting room rather than have a small space of his own.

[derespaldonube]

I´m happy to see architects who design for families with elderly people, because, as parents age, they will need somebody to take care of them. Also, in many cultures, is normal that single children live with their parents, even if they are adults and are economically independents. They like to share the home with family, instead of living with strange people or "roomies", and they also share the expenses and the house chores, so, they are not "parasites", but they become a valuable help for their parents. I loved this project!

[sheila]

Curious why they bothered with a sunken living room when an aging person lives there. It makes mobility more of a challenge. I can see her switching to the futon if she needs a walker or wheelchair in the future as her current room is not accessible. A retracting partition wall near the futon might be nice too for privacy.
Overall very nice though. Kitchen space is very important to me and this one was functional but welcoming.

[timbocracy]

This is so well thought out. But I would want my own room if I were the son

[TeeBoyd]

Small Design Studio has excelled itself in this project. Being gentle towards this family's needs after a health injury and creating a whole new environment for them to enjoy in their later years.

I suspect the apartment has been designed for the inevitable, that it will eventually become a bachelor pad. The mother needs to be closer to the bathroom, has items in view close by (not hidden behind several doors), quick access to the utility area and balcony. I know with my mother she wanted her items close & visible at all times. The family wanted "comfortable & enjoyable" and Kumiko delivered well ahead of this simple request.

[TheMostObliviousGirl]

Wow I have to say. The way she designed it made the apartment much bigger than it really is. Very functional.

[lizabetx]

Also, why does the mom's bedroom look like a closet. I saw a lot of storage space along the corridor.

[rzuue]

I think I just don’t really understand the floor design/layout.
If I had a flat with one or even two balconies, I think I would try to connect them to the spaces I spent most my time, e.g. livingroom, kitchen or perhaps a study room. With a balcony you can easily expand the space in spring and summer, if they’re connected to such rooms.
It feels a little bit like a waste to have the bigger balcony where the facility space is.
But I know that balconied are not always valued the way I do. In Korea someone told me that people prefer more (storage) space over balconies and that balconies were often only used for storage, so eventually they got abolished to grant more space indoors.
I would always prefer the balcony.