Tokyo is known for its urban density, with apartments being famously miniscule, so architect and designer Hiroyuki Ogawa has resorted to a creative technique in venturing to engender the illusion of space. In renovating a 34-square-meter Tokyo apartment, the architect incorporated sliding screen doors that can further divide the studio apartment into rooms, making it feel far larger than it actually is.
The benefit of screen doors that slide, as opposed to installing full walls, is that they can be slid away and hidden when necessary. For instance, the doors might be opened when entertaining company, since in that case open space would be more appropriate, while they can be closed when one is home alone and looking to separate leisure space from work space.
Subdivided Tokyo Apartments
Hiroyuki Ogawa Used Sliding Screens to Divide a Small Apartment
Trend Themes
1. Sliding Screen Dividers - The use of sliding screen doors to subdivide apartments and maximize the usability of small spaces provides opportunities for interior design companies to develop innovative, adaptable partition systems.
2. Illusion of Space - Creating an illusion of space in small apartments using technology and innovative design can provide opportunities for architects and real estate developers to offer more desirable living spaces.
3. Flexible Architecture - Flexible architecture that allows residents to adapt their living spaces to their needs can be a disruptive opportunity for construction and development companies to offer modular and customizable homes.
Industry Implications
1. Interior Design - The use of sliding screen doors to subdivide apartments provides opportunities for interior design companies to develop innovative, adaptable partition systems.
2. Architecture - Opportunities exist for architects to employ technology and innovative design to create the illusion of space in small apartments and offer more desirable living spaces.
3. Real Estate Development - Flexible architecture solutions that allow residents to adapt their living spaces to their needs can provide unique offering's for construction and development companies to create modular and customizable homes.