# Cinder Block Buildings MM Apartment Building in Tokyo by Nakae Architects By Jessica Marcel | Published 2010-01-14 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mm-apartment References: [spoon-tamago](http://www.spoon-tamago.com/2010/01/07/mm-apartment-by-nakae-architects/) & [nakae-a.jp](http://www.nakae-a.jp/) Nakae Architects must have had function as their singular thought in the creation of the MM Apartment building. The [interior spaces, though all white](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/minimalist-cocoon), appear useful and utilitarian. The exterior, however, gives the architects little to brag about. The MM Apartment looks more like a prison than an [8-unit residential building](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/residential-project-in-tokyo). The MM Apartment building was photographed by Hiroyasu Sakaguchi. The designers on the MM Apartment included Yuji Nakae, Hirofumi Ohno and Yamada Hiroyuki. **Implications** - Consumers are looking to create products that stress functionality over aesthetics. Buyers are realizing that to make better use of their money, they should invest in more [utilitarian and functional items](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/muji-muji-55). Businesses can profit by providing products and services that don't have to include this design aesthetic, but rather focus on the functional appeal of the product. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.0/10 - Popularity: 26% | Activity: 26% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - 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 ### What's Driving This Trend - **Function-first Design:** Consumers are prioritizing functionality over aesthetics in the design of products. - **Utilitarian Aesthetics:** Products with an utilitarian and practical look are gaining popularity. - **Minimalism:** Consumers are gravitating towards simplified and minimal designs. ### Who This Affects Most - **Architecture:** Opportunity to offer utilitarian, functional building designs that prioritize function over aesthetics. - **Furniture:** Opportunity to offer minimal and practical furniture designs that prioritize function over aesthetics. - **Consumer Electronics:** Opportunity to offer utilitarian and simplified electronic devices that prioritize function over flashy design. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Concrete Block-Formed Residences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blockwall-house.md) - [High-Rise Tokyo Apartments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/morandi-i-apartment.md) - [Triangular Concrete Apartment Blocks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mo288.md) - [Red Brick Apartments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/miller-apartment-building.md) - [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) - [Minimalist Concrete Complexes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/residential-project-in-tokyo.md) - [Modern Multi-Purpose Japanese Buildings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/muiltipurpose-japanese-building.md) - [Concrete Boxes-Overlapping Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/house-in-tsurumiku.md)