# Slender Multifunctional Abodes ALTS Design Office Completes the Higashihayashiguchi Dwelling By Jamie Danielle Munro | Published 2014-06-11 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/higashihayashiguchi-dwelling References: [designboom](http://www.designboom.com/architecture/alts-design-office-cafe-dwelling-shiga-06-09-2014/) & [alts-design](http://alts-design.com/) The Higashihayashiguchi Dwelling and Shop is located in [Shiga, Japan](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nozawa), and completed by ALTS Design Office. The building is extremely slender and multifunctional, featuring a cafe on the ground floor, with a spot for dwelling above. It's amazing that the team managed to do this much with such a small space, and overall it still looks to be quite spacious. ALTS Design Office used a whitewashed look for the outside walls, with wooden accents found on the interior of the cafe. The spot for living on top is also quite small, but it still offers a comfortable place to stay, using an open concept to keep the area looking larger than it actually is in the end. Photo Credits: [designboom](http://www.designboom.com/architecture/alts-design-office-cafe-dwelling-shiga-06-09-2014/), [alts-design](http://alts-design.com/) ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.8/10 - Popularity: 74% | Activity: 63% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Architecture](https://www.trendhunter.com/architecture) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Multifunctional Buildings:** There is a growing trend towards designing buildings that serve multiple functions, such as combining a cafe and a dwelling in a small space. - **Minimalist Design:** Minimalist design is becoming popular in architecture, with a focus on clean lines, open spaces, and a restrained color palette. - **Space Optimization:** Architects and designers are increasingly finding innovative ways to optimize small spaces, creating comfortable and functional environments. ### Where This Applies - **Architecture:** The architecture industry has an opportunity to explore and develop designs for multifunctional buildings, incorporating elements of minimalism and space optimization. - **Interior Design:** Interior designers can leverage the minimalist aesthetic and space optimization techniques to create efficient and visually appealing living spaces in small dwellings. - **Hospitality:** Hotels and cafes can incorporate the concept of multifunctional spaces to maximize the use of limited real estate and offer unique and versatile experiences to their guests. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Minimal Japanese Home Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/house-in-kyobate.md) - [Forest-Nestled Poetic Cakeshops](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/45-space.md) - [Adjustable Japanese Studio Apartments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/building-frame-of-the-house.md) - [Compact Timber Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/akio-isshiki-architects.md) - [Renewed Kyoto Townhouses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/studio-aluc.md) - [Compact Corner Residences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/modus-architect.md) - [Terraced Urban Residences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/house-in-minamiazabu.md) - [Contemporary Timber Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/house-in-saidera.md) - [Multi-Level Japanese Residences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/house-in-hattoritenjin.md)