Block party: a new book explores Tokyo’s unique family homes
Absurdity - that's how world-renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma describes the determination of Tokyo families to own a patch of land, no matter how small, in the world's most populated city. But it's an absurdity that results in architectural outliers: tiny yet unique family homes.
Kuma's musings appear in French photographer Jérémie Souteyrat's 144-page study of Tokyo's urban landscape, titled Tokyo no Ie (Tokyo Houses). The Japanese master's houses are presented alongside those by Pritzker Prize winners Shigeru Ban and Kazuyo Sejima; small-home champions Atelier Bow-Bow; Sou Fujimoto (Serpentine Gallery Pavilion, London) and many more.
Souteyrat, 35, spent four years in search of these urban treasures 'sown like jewels in the immensity of Tokyo'. Says the photographer: 'I like the diversity of this city. If one has the chance to discover a jewel while walking on the street it's a pretty good surprise, isn't it?'
For cultural reasons few Japanese want to live in an old house, so even the gems in this book will likely be demolished within 40 years. 'As the houses are rebuilt every 25 years on average, there are a lot of opportunities for innovative design.'
For the same reason, Tokyo no Ie might become an ongoing project. 'I'd like to take the same pictures at the same locations in 25 years,' says Souteyrat. One of the Kengo Kuma houses in the book has already been refurbished and repainted. In Tokyo, the jewels sparkle for all too brief a moment - making Tokyo no Ie an important document of a city in constant flux.
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
-
Famed steakhouse Beefbar opens an art deco-infused outpost in New York City
Beefbar’s first US location finds a home in an impressive 1920s Tribeca building, boasting interiors by Humbert & Poyet
By Dan Howarth Published
-
John Cage’s ‘now moments’ inspire Lismore Castle Arts’ group show
Lismore Castle Arts’ ‘Each now, is the time, the space’ takes its title from John Cage, and sees four artists embrace the moment through sculpture and found objects
By Amah-Rose Abrams Published
-
Architects collaborate on geometric extension to radically re-shape a London house
Mediterranean influences, earthy tones and quirky angles abound in this geometric extension and the soaring living spaces of this reconfigured Victorian townhouse
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Space Un celebrates contemporary African art, community and connection in Japan
Space Un, a new art venue by Edna Dumas, dedicated to contemporary African art, opens in Tokyo, Japan
By Nana Ama Owusu-Ansah Published
-
Monospinal is a Japanese gaming company’s HQ inspired by its product’s world
A Japanese design studio fulfils its quest to take Monospinal, the Tokyo HQ of a video game developer, to the next level
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Modern Japanese houses inspiring minimalism and avant-garde living
We tour the best Japanese architecture and modern Japanese houses designed by international and local architects that open up possibilities for all types of lifestyle, from minimalist to communal in Japanese architecture.
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
An Aoyama House exemplifies a synergetic architect and client relationship
A client’s faith in his architect pays dividends in Aoyama House; a light-filled, effortlessly elegant Tokyo home
By Jens H Jensen Published
-
Tokyo home Le49Ⅱ brings together drama, domestic luxury and hybrid working habits
Le49Ⅱ by Japanese architects Apollo is a Tokyo home for a young family with hybrid working habits
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Takeshi Ikeuchi’s kei truck is a minimalist Japanese mobile showroom
Takeshi Ikeuchi's kei truck design is a Japanese timber specialist’s minimalist mobile showroom
By Jens H Jensen Published
-
Nekoyacho Bldg is a Hiroshima office on a crossroads of 'food, work and entertainment'
Nekoyacho Bldg has been designed by Suppose Design Office as a 21st century workspace in Hiroshima, Japan
By Danielle Demetriou Published
-
Heatherwick Studio’s Azabudai Hills district launches as Tokyo’s newest city-in-a-city
Tokyo welcomes the Azabudai Hills district, designed by Heatherwick Studio and constructed as a city-in-a-city after over three decades of planning
By Danielle Demetriou Published