# Compact Windowed Residences The Wall of Nishihara Spans Three Meters Wide By Vasiliki Marapas | Published 2014-06-20 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-wall-of-nishihara References: [dezeen](http://www.dezeen.com/2014/06/20/sabaoarch-wall-of-nishihara-three-metre-wide-concrete-house-in-tokyo/) & [sabao.jp](http://sabao.jp/main.html) Japanese studio Sabaoarch built 'The Wall of Nishihara,' a [compact, concrete house](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pyramid-hut) sandwiched between two [narrow streets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/casa-ma) in Shibuya, Tokyo. The home features tiny windows that keep the interior private while simultaneously allowing sunlight to permeate inside the residence. In order to optimize for space, the architects installed a weaving staircase made of folded metal to connect the two half-levels. Architect Masanori Kuwabara explains, "The multi-leveled house is connected by a rope of stairs. The experience is like climbing up a tree to the sky, looking at the surrounding scenery." The create a slightly more welcoming exterior, the concrete structure was outfitted with [timber slats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fukasawa-residence) that offer a texturized quality. Inside, the walls, which are covered in a series of large and small windows, give the heavy concrete a sense of transparency. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.3/10 - Popularity: 83% | Activity: 37% | 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 ### What's Driving This Trend - **Compact Living:** The trend of compact living spaces like 'The Wall of Nishihara' presents opportunities for innovative space-saving solutions and smart home technologies. - **Privacy-focused Design:** The trend of incorporating small windows that provide privacy while allowing natural light to enter inspires disruptive innovations in window coverings and smart glass technologies. - **Creative Vertical Integration:** The trend of using weaving staircases made of folded metal to connect multiple levels opens up possibilities for innovative staircase designs and integration with other vertical elements in architecture. ### Who This Affects Most - **Architecture:** The architectural industry can explore disruptive innovations in compact living designs that maximize space efficiency, privacy, and natural light. - **Home Improvement:** The home improvement industry can tap into the trend of privacy-focused design by developing new window coverings and smart glass technologies that balance privacy and natural light. - **Construction:** The construction industry can leverage the trend of creative vertical integration to create innovative staircase designs that enhance both functionality and aesthetics in multi-level structures. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Minimal Japanese Home Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/house-in-kyobate.md) - [Concrete Block-Formed Residences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blockwall-house.md) - [Raw Concrete Industrial Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/house-in-nishizaki.md) - [Cave-Like Exposed Concrete Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nakano-house.md) - [Minimalist Concrete Complexes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/residential-project-in-tokyo.md) - [Terraced Urban Residences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/house-in-minamiazabu.md) - [Clear Glazing Compact Residences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/check-patterned-house.md) - [Concrete Boxes-Overlapping Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/house-in-tsurumiku.md) - [Compact Timber Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/akio-isshiki-architects.md)