150 Best Minimalist House Ideas (2014)

Architect: Torafu Architects

Location: Tokyo, Japan

Photography: Daici Ano

The first part of a two-phase project for the refurbishment of a forty-year-old, mixed-use, reinforced concrete building, involves the design of the building’s exterior and the apartments on its second and third floors. Towering above the surrounding houses, the third floor accommodates well-lit living spaces, while the second floor offers more private spaces.

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Like steel, the versatility of concrete allows it to be used for a variety of purposes, not just structurally. One way to use it is as a finish material.

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Furnishings can be seamlessly integrated with architecture; they can also be removed or altered according to a homeowner’s needs. This allows the possibility of a continually adapting environment.

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To make a unique kitchen, mix and match different woods on drawer and door fronts, but use a unifying element such as handles and knobs.

This freestanding cube incorporating a stair and a closet was designed to avoid the compartmentalization of an open plan. Its central location helps to organize circulation.

By concentrating the stair and a closet in a freestanding cube, the rest of the loft-like space is left unobstructed.