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Originally an outdated apartment with an impractical layout, Kumiko Ouchi of Small Design Studio completely redesigned the aptly named The House for Two, significantly changing the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
Architect: https://www.small-design-studio.com/
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
49 Comments
Wonderful.
It is no privacy at all, guess the son doesn’t need personal activity at home. And two level floors just not good for elderly. Mom’s room even has window? The entire design just tells me how much they doesn’t care about elderly and can’t wait for her to leave.
Yes to everything! Congrats on this beautiful design!
I appreciate that the architect consulted the clients several times, so they are clearly happy with the layout. I wouldn't mind so much the lack of privacy, but I do agree that the bedroom is a bit claustrophobic and anyone with mobility issues would have issues even just changing into their pajamas. And that step in the living room was definitely a bad idea, but I am sure they can do something about that in the future if needed
Very cozy and warm living environment, but do have safety concern about the fireplace
Really love this. My idea for my house….. that sofa 🙂
Mantra: " Think Outside of the Box while Listening to the Clients' Needs" is beautifully implemented here. Love it.
So the son sleeps in the living room and his mother in a closet. That's terrible. Two regular bedrooms would have been better.
Beautiful design for this multi generational family! The kitchen/dining area is AWESOME! The main living space looks so cozy and comfortable. The mother’s sleeping space is a bit claustrophobic for me but I’m sure it works well for her. Well done!
Very commendable on the son's part to move in so he can care for his mother. Beautiful, well designed space too!
my favourite apartment so far. It feels so large while respecting the need of each other's privacy!
One of the best design I’ve seen on this Channel !
This is a really good use of a small space. It is contemporary, bright and clean
perfectly customized design. i live alone in an apt larger than this and i don't have the storage and sense of space this does.
I loved your previous design featured, your apartment with your partner. And I remember that I loved it so much. Your designs really are top-tier and I can't to see more of your work. 😊❤
amazing
If I lived alone I might love this apartment, accepting the mom's sleeping nook as my bedroom, a sacrifice to leave more SF for a spacious kitchen and living room. The second sleeping space would be for company, who probably would never stay longer than a few days.
If I were that son, I'd be pretty insistent on some kind of privacy screen or curtain so that I could ever be alone at home and not feel like my permanent setup was crashing on my mom's couch. But I'm glad it seems to work for them.
First time seeing a home without an Aesop bottle!
This is quite beautiful and calming. Lovely…
Kakkoi Apato and TaKAI desu Yo
Как увеличить пространство в помещении? Поселить маму в шкафу! Сделано!
Fabulous, like others have said I'm not sure about mum sleeping with dust gathering clothes above her bed like she's in a cupboard but other than that bravo!
I love everything except for the uneven flooring wherein the living room is a step lower because it poses as a potential risk to the mother who had a past injury and who is in her twilight years, considering poor/deteriorating eyesight and limitation of movement which usually accompanies ageing. A misstep is something that we wouldn't want to happen.
I always wanted a house with small bedrooms for my family and very big communal spaces. All you need in a bedroom is a bed and maybe a desk. Everywhere else can be shared. A shared walk in closet, social media/tv room, even guest room for visitors. It lends itself to greater family connectivity. As I get older, I'm thinking of having a place like this flat in a big city, close to everything.
So nice of the son to be taking care of his mother! But I am concerned about all these steps for an elderly woman. And I find it is not nice that her clothes are hanging about her head when she is sleeping (no fresh air), and it must be too high for her to reach everything. And no window in her sleeping room. Hmm. And the sofa/futon has no back to lean on while reading. And the hall is too narrow for a wheelchair for future. I don't know…
The only thing I would object is the mother’s clothes hanging over where she sleeps.
This gets to be the sweetest feature on the channel. They seem to have a close mother-son connection.
Thank you for looking after your Mother ✨
Outstanding space!
Beautiful apto, great design but really questionable choices for the mother. In Latin America we also take care of our parents and it’s unthinkable to me to put the elderly mother in a space like that, she had a real room with space, closet, window and dignity in the same apartment before the renovation – she’s the owner! Also notice that the guy spent a lot with finishing in the entire space and nothing with the old lady, everything looks cheaper for her, even the shelves.
So mother sleeps in a closet? Right!
The mothers bedroom has airflow since it is not completely enclosed. The step may have been already existing and not an issue for the mother. It would be costly to build up the floor and greatly reduce the spacious feel of the home. I don't like the open clothes over mom's bed. But I don't live there. TFS
Beautifully done EXCEPT for that step. What were you thinking. The Mother has already injured herself. No steps is essential for seniors. What if she has to use a wheelchair?
It is a brilliant, efficient, and beautiful design, suitable for one aging parent and one adult child who cares for the parent. However, I would have preferred a more private sleeping area for the adult child instead of a bed in a common area such as the living room. The son's sleeping arrangement seems temporary or more like a guest room to me, maybe that is the intent of the design. I agree with other commenters' view of mom's sleeping area as too cramped as well, my reason is that as mom ages and the son needs to help her in and out of bed, the cramped space might create issues. I also agree with what some other commenters pointed out about the sunken living room being a potential hazard. Falling and getting injured is one of the biggest health threats for the elderlies, therefore the sunken living room and step at the front door are potential danger zones.
Beautiful apartment 💖
I love how the design offers a sense of privacy the moment you enter the house. The living spaces were not readily accessible by strangers, so there is this thrilling puzzle-like design as well. As for the con in the design, the space in the corridor is now pretty narrow. Although there is space to exit in the laundry area, in case of emergency, the tight spot in the entrance is not convenient for when responders need to enter the house. It may be just me, hehe, but that's just my thought.
Oh, and also, the step down feature: not safe for older folks. If my grandma was to live here, she would've complained about this already. A level floor should've been kept. If the current owners do not have a problem with it, theeeeen, it's okay. 😁 for me, i'd choose the level floor. Easier to clean, too! 😆
WoW
🎉🎉❤❤❤❤WoW so beautiful ❤❤❤love it
Beautiful space, so well designed
Beautifully done!
I wonder what the budget was.
I would have thought in time there would be some flexibility. They can swap bedrooms if more mobility access is needed in the future. No need to make her feel disabled now if she's perfectly happy!
Such a cool design and clever usage of space! Really loved this project!
Amazing renovation. I hate having a sink or cooktop in an island as it normally takes up all the space. I like this island it makes sense being part of the kitchen yet there is so much space available next to the cook top so you can use is for eating, working, and doing projects. Bravo.
More thought to aging in place unless the intent is to move when she may need more living assistance. Wheel chair accessibility and mum should really have the bigger bed so she can enjoy the sun coming through at sunrise and sundown be close to the borrowed nature and natural light and sounds. I loved the space saving ideas and personally the lounge step down and fireplace was unexpected and pleasing. Thank toy for sharing.
Mother’s room too small
That elderly woman sleeping in a unventilated closet 😐 not good. At all.
I like many things about this place but it's not really planned with old age in mind. If it were there would be no step down to the living area, a walk in shower instead of a bath, and the toilet would not be in a small space of its own.