# Tunnel-Shaped Condo Units Kentaro Ataka Completes the Hasu House in Japan By Jamie Danielle Munro | Published 2014-04-29 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kentaro-ataka References: [designboom](http://www.designboom.com/architecture/kentaro-ataka-architectural-design-hasu-house-japan-04-26-2014/) & [ataken](http://www.ataken.com/) Kentaro Ataka is an architectural firm located in Japan, and the team has recently finished completions on the [Hasu House](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/meditation-tablet). The design is filled with apartment units, however, the company did not go with a traditional look for these condos. The units are shaped like tunnels, with floor-to-ceiling windows at the front and ample amounts of natural light to shine through. Since the area is situated in such a densely populated area of Japan, the firm had to make the most of the small space that they had. As such, the complex is compact, but not overly cramped, and the building comes complete with eight units. For such a small space, Kentaro Ataka has done a great job with what they have. Photo Credits: [designboom](http://www.designboom.com/architecture/kentaro-ataka-architectural-design-hasu-house-japan-04-26-2014/), [ataken](http://www.ataken.com/) ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 0.9/10 - Popularity: 15% | Activity: 4% | 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 - **Tunnel-shaped Condo Units:** The use of creative and unique shapes for condo units, such as tunnels, can offer more efficient and space-saving living options for densely populated areas. - **Maximizing Small Living Spaces:** Architectural firms can design real estate properties in a way that maximizes small living spaces, without making them feel cramped. - **Natural Light in Building Design:** Incorporating ample amounts of natural light into building design can improve living quality and increase the appeal of a property. ### Where This Applies - **Real Estate Development:** Real estate development presents opportunities for architects and builders to innovate new and unique living spaces in response to the growing population density of urban areas. - **Architecture:** Architecture can offer opportunities to optimize living spaces while simultaneously improving the quality of life for residents. - **Construction:** New and innovative design methodologies can lead to more efficient and cost-effective construction methods. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Cave-Like Exposed Concrete Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nakano-house.md) - [Minimal Japanese Home Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/house-in-kyobate.md) - [Concrete Boxes-Overlapping Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/house-in-tsurumiku.md) - [Minimalist Concrete Complexes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/residential-project-in-tokyo.md) - [Parking Lot-Transformed Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/octa-house.md) - [Adjustable Japanese Studio Apartments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/building-frame-of-the-house.md) - [Cut-Out Structural Narrow Hotels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hotel-rakuragu.md) - [Void-Cut Elevated Residences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kumagaya.md) - [Pyramidal Concrete Japanese Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pyramid-hut.md)