Japanese studio Keitaro Muto Architects designed the 'Sunomata House,' a residence comprised of three overlapping volumes, in Ogaki, Japan.
The clients were a family who required separate dwellings to better accommodate different generational needs. The architects opted for a single property with layered volumes to ensure that family members have their own space. The two-storey end is occupied by the younger residents, while the area for the older generation is located all on one level. That being said, there are communal spaces located throughout the home as well.
The south-facing courtyard garden also acts as a common space. The architects explain, "Each of the internal spaces has a different relationship to the Japanese garden, whether this is visual or physical."
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Overlapping Volumes in Architecture
- Innovative architects are exploring ways to develop homes with unique spaces that cater to various generations within a single property.
- Flexible Living Structures
- Homes that allow for customized spaces that can cater to varying generations of a family are gaining popularity.
- Family-centered Design
- Architects are increasingly creating homes that prioritize the needs of a family as a whole over individual needs.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Architecture and Design
- Architects and designers can create blueprints for customized homes that accommodate the needs of multiple generations of a family.
- Real Estate
- Flexible living spaces designed with the needs of multiple generations in mind could fetch more interest from homebuyers.
- Construction
- Flexibility in design can result in new opportunities and building methods for architects, designers, and construction professionals.
