Welcome to the charming town of Heguri, located an hour south of Kyoto. In this peaceful and quiet residential area, you’ll find a unique and minimalist home designed by Yousaka Tsusumi from Arbol Design. This single-story house is the perfect abode for a family of 5, featuring an intriguing exterior with four towering wooden sliding doors that can be individually opened or closed to suit the family’s needs. Step inside to discover a central living and dining area raised on a wooden platform, seamlessly connecting to a well-designed kitchen island and a series of internal sliding doors leading to the bedrooms and utility zone. With its efficient use of space and intentional design, this house truly embodies the concept of living minimally without sacrificing comfort and style.
NEVER TOO SMALL, a video series by New Mac Video Agency, explores small apartment designs and unique architecture. In their episode featuring the House in Heguri, you’ll witness the clever incorporation of galvanized steel, a covered porch area for year-round outdoor living, and thoughtful touches like a wooden bench that doubles as shoe storage. From the inviting living and dining areas to the functional kitchen and utility zone, this home showcases how simplicity can be both aesthetically pleasing and practical. So join us on this virtual tour and be inspired to rethink your own living space, as we present the NEVER TOO SMALL Essential Guide to Designing Your Living Room – a resource that will help you transform your small space into a comfortable and stylish haven, without breaking the bank.
House in Heguri – A Simple, Minimalist Home for a Family of 5
Located in the peaceful town of Heguri, Nara, the House in Heguri is a single-story home designed to provide a simple and minimalist living space for a family of 5. The concept behind the design was to create a house where the family can surround themselves with the things they love. Designed by Yousaka Tsusumi from Arbol Design, the house aims to bring people closer to nature.
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Location and Design Concept
Heguri is a peaceful and quiet residential area with beautiful mountains, rivers, and rice fields. The house is nestled in this natural environment, allowing the family to be surrounded by nature. The design concept of the house is centered around this idea of connecting with nature, creating a space that brings the outdoors in.
Exterior Features
One of the standout features of the house is the 4 towering wooden sliding doors that extend to both ends of the site. These doors can be individually opened or closed, depending on how the family wants to use the space. When opened, the doors reveal a house clad in galvanized steel, with plenty of access to the outdoors. The front entrance porch acts as a year-round outdoor living space, covered by a roof to protect the family from the rain or the hot summer sun. A wooden box serves as a bench and a storage space for shoes. The house also features a parking space and a garden in front.
Interior Layout
The interior layout of the house is designed to maximize space and functionality. The living, dining, and kitchen areas are all in the same space, creating an open and connected living area. There are two bedrooms, a utility zone, and a terrace connected to the kitchen.
Living and Dining Area
The living and dining area is raised on a wooden platform, creating a sense of separation from the kitchen. The living room is furnished with a sofa, a TV, and a collection of family pieces that they have collected over the years. Long and narrow windows on both sides of the living room bring in extra light and provide a beautiful view of the surrounding nature. The dining table is large and can be used for both meals and as a kitchen prep surface. It is designed with different seating heights on each side, accommodating the family’s favorite chairs.
Kitchen
The kitchen is made from stainless steel and features Mortex cabinets, which match the material used for the dining table. It is equipped with a gas stove and a fish grill, and there is ample closed storage to hide unsightly kitchen items. The kitchen also has storage space under the dining table, providing additional functionality. A door at the end of the kitchen opens up to a terrace, allowing for easy access to take the washing in when it rains.
Bedrooms
The main bedroom is where the entire family sleeps together. Futons are laid out at bedtime and folded in the morning, allowing the room to be used for other purposes during the day. The second bedroom currently serves as an office but will be converted into the children’s room in the future, complete with a bunk bed. Both bedrooms have built-in closets, providing ample storage space.
Utility Zone
The utility zone includes a wash basin and toilet, a washing machine, a closet, and an area to dry clothes. The wash basin area is tiled and has storage behind the mirror. The toilet is tankless, saving space, and there is storage above it as well. The laundry area in this zone benefits from natural light and air circulation, making it an ideal spot for hanging laundry. Once the clothes are dry, they can be stored directly in the storage area below.
Embracing Minimalism
The House in Heguri embodies the idea of minimalism. In today’s society, we often find ourselves overwhelmed with possessions, constantly striving for more storage space. However, this house encourages us to reconsider the things we own and live more minimally. By simplifying our lives and decluttering our spaces, we can create a more peaceful and harmonious environment.
Conclusion
The House in Heguri exemplifies how a simple and minimalist design can create a comfortable and functional home for a family of 5. By connecting with nature and embracing minimalism, this house provides a space where the family can find peace and tranquility. If you’re looking to design your living room with minimalism in mind, the Never Too Small Essential Guide to Your Living Room is a great resource to help you transform your space into one you love without breaking the bank.
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You’ll find the House in Heguri in a small peaceful town just an hour south of Kyoto. It’s a simple, minimalist home designed for a family of 5 by Yousaka Tsusumi from Arbol Design. The exterior of the house is striking, with 4 towering wooden sliding doors that stretch to both ends of the site. These doors can be individually opened or closed according to how the family wants to use the space. When the doors are open, you’ll see a house covered in galvanized steel and with easy access to the outdoors. The entrance has a covered porch area that the family uses as a year-round outdoor living space.
Inside, the central living and dining area are elevated on a wooden platform. They connect to the kitchen through a large, cleverly designed kitchen island/dining table. This table has different seating heights on either side, creating a versatile space. From the central living area, you’ll find sliding doors that lead to the home’s two bedrooms and utility zone. The utility zone includes a separate toilet, bathroom, and a spacious laundry area.
To know more about the House in Heguri, watch Eps 134 on https://www-arbol–design-com. This project was produced by New Mac Video Agency and the creator is Colin Chee. The director and cinematographer is Nam Tran, the producer is Lindsay Barnard, and the editor is Nam Tran. The music used in the video is “Sunset Views” and “Like the Old Days” by warmkeys from artlist.io.