# Fluidly Partitioned Homes The Brother's House is Simultaneously Public and Private By Vasiliki Marapas | Published 2014-06-04 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brothers-house References: [dezeen](http://www.dezeen.com/2014/06/04/hiroshi-kunos-brothers-house-curvy-partitions/) & [qno.jp](http://www.qno.jp/) Japanese architect Hiroshi Kuno has designed the Brother's House, a single-story home that features a series of [curvy partitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/morgen-screen) throughout its interior. The dividers, which are low enough for residents to walk over, separate the house into four spaces, which accommodate a living room and kitchen, bathroom and two ambiguous rooms that can be used as bedrooms. No two partitions are the same in proportion, creating a visually layered effect. Kuno explains, "The partition wall [...] makes [a] private place and public place, [a] closed place and open place simultaneously, always leaving the space of the big upper part." Located in the Japanese city of Otaru, this [compact home](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mizuho) measures 100 square meters and is supported by a [concrete base and timber frame](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/alma-switch-house). Inside, translucent white curtains and bare light bulbs keep things minimal. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.6/10 - Popularity: 35% | Activity: 35% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Curvy Partitions:** Curvy partitions are being used to create visually layered effects in homes, offering both privacy and openness simultaneously. - **Ambiguous Rooms:** Designers are creating flexible, ambiguous rooms that can be used for multiple purposes in compact homes, maximizing space. - **Translucent Curtains:** Translucent curtains are being used in interior design to create a minimalistic and airy feel in small spaces. ### Where This Applies - **Architecture and Interior Design:** Architects and interior designers are incorporating curvy partitions, ambiguous rooms, and translucent curtains in their designs to create innovative and adaptable living spaces. - **Real Estate:** Real estate developers and property owners can explore the use of curvy partitions, ambiguous rooms, and translucent curtains to optimize the use of limited space in their properties. - **Home Furnishings:** Home furnishing companies can offer customizable solutions such as curvy partitions and translucent curtains to cater to the needs of individuals living in compact homes. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Compact Corner Residences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/modus-architect.md) - [Void-Cut Elevated Residences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kumagaya.md) - [Curvaceous Privacy Wall Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kwk-promes-open-house.md) - [Intersecting Block-Formed Narrow Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/house-in-fujidera.md) - [Modern Multi-Purpose Japanese Buildings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/muiltipurpose-japanese-building.md) - [Privacy Enhanced Minimal Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-open-house-1.md) - [Minimal Japanese Home Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/house-in-kyobate.md) - [Ever-Changing Japanese Houses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kumagaya-house.md) - [Concrete Boxes-Overlapping Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/house-in-tsurumiku.md)