Japanese architecture proves that necessity is the mother of invention. In order to fit their ample population on the space-squeezed island, homes are designed to fill up every sliver of space, however puny. This ABC Nightline tour of Japanese “micro-apartments” gives a nice look at some of these super-slivers.
Not to be pedantic, but these are not micro-apartments, but a class of home called Kyosho Jutaku that use remnant real estate in fantastic ways.
In the video, ABC interviews Japanese architecture expert Azby Brown, who shows off modern interpretations of traditional Japanese architecture like underfoot storage and stowable beds.
These tiny homes seem downright palatial compared to geki-sema homes, tiny-shared spaces that have been recently called ”coffin-apartments.”
These teeny-tiny living boxes are designed for young Tokyo professionals who just need a place to sleep.
What do you think? Are either of these types of dwellings viable living spaces or more or less human storage lockers?