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Houzz Tour: A Four-room Flat Becomes an Airy, Open-plan Home
Tearing down all the walls is a bold move, but this 46 sq m flat’s new layout is a better fit for its owners
This couple have owned their flat, in an 11-storey building by the Yodo River in Osaka, Japan, for 10 years. Although they had fun personalising it with paint and wallpaper, they felt limited by its compartmentalised floorplan: the flat’s 45.81 sq m were originally divided into four rooms. The owners had always thought about tearing down the walls to turn the space into a studio; on their 10th wedding anniversary, they finally took the plunge…
The owners hoped that renovating the flat would completely change its feel – like changing your clothes. That’s how this renovation came to be.
They already knew architect Takeshi Hamada of Hamada Design by sight, as he and the couple spend a lot of time at the same stores. When they looked him up online, they really liked his style, and sent him an inquiry right away. That’s when the renovation took off.
They already knew architect Takeshi Hamada of Hamada Design by sight, as he and the couple spend a lot of time at the same stores. When they looked him up online, they really liked his style, and sent him an inquiry right away. That’s when the renovation took off.
Takeshi says that in apartment renovations, it’s often advisable to merge the rooms to make them feel more open. This project was no exception.
“The couple have exquisite taste, and they already had plenty of lovely accessories,” he says. “So I thought, ‘Why not just paint the walls white, cover the floor with concrete and let them fill the space as they like?’ Moreover, there were areas they barely used, such as the traditional 4.5-tatami [7.4 sq m] Japanese-style room. The space was not being used efficiently, so I knew it would be better to get rid of the walls.”
“The couple have exquisite taste, and they already had plenty of lovely accessories,” he says. “So I thought, ‘Why not just paint the walls white, cover the floor with concrete and let them fill the space as they like?’ Moreover, there were areas they barely used, such as the traditional 4.5-tatami [7.4 sq m] Japanese-style room. The space was not being used efficiently, so I knew it would be better to get rid of the walls.”
The bedroom area is to the left of the entrance, and the shoe storage is to the right. The perforated basswood [limewood] veneer on both sides is convenient for hanging things such as bags and clothes, as hooks and nails can be inserted into any of the perforations.
A single step separates the entrance hall from the rest of the room, which has the same concrete finish on the floor. The studio contains the kitchen, dining area, bed and study, all subtly separated by basswood furniture.
A single step separates the entrance hall from the rest of the room, which has the same concrete finish on the floor. The studio contains the kitchen, dining area, bed and study, all subtly separated by basswood furniture.
“There are no definitive divisions, as in, ‘here we have the entrance hall and here we have the living room,” Takeshi explains. As floor-to-ceiling walls would have carved up the space too starkly, they went for lower partitions to create a casual feel.
Now, when one of the owners is in the kitchen, the other can feel their presence even from the bedroom. This creates a subtle connection and allows them to always be aware of one another.
Now, when one of the owners is in the kitchen, the other can feel their presence even from the bedroom. This creates a subtle connection and allows them to always be aware of one another.
The 1.1m-tall wall that separates the bed from the entrance is the same height as the bookcase on the other side. Both owners are avid readers. If one is lying on the bed and the other sitting on the other side of the bookcase, they can’t see each other. This way, they can create areas of retreat – but they only have to stand up to be together again.
Find a local interior designer or architect today.
Find a local interior designer or architect today.
The wife had been worried that the concrete floor would be too trendy for them. However, having lived with it for some time, she now finds it very comfortable, as it doesn’t get too cold in the winter. The owners thought that, given the flat’s small size, finishing only part of it in concrete would look odd. So, they braced themselves and agreed to use concrete throughout. This turned out to be a great choice.
There are four bookcases in the space, all on castors. They can be moved around to rearrange and divide up the room in different ways. Moreover, they can be disassembled and turned into a large table if the owners throw a party with many guests.
This fashionable couple needed a lot of room for their things. To prevent disorder in the small space, Takeshi made sure he worked lots of storage into his plan.
This fashionable couple needed a lot of room for their things. To prevent disorder in the small space, Takeshi made sure he worked lots of storage into his plan.
The standalone counter in front of the kitchen is also a cabinet with plenty of shelves on both sides. The navy blue tiles chosen by the wife accent the area.
The fridge originally stood beside the kitchen, but moving it away and covering it with basswood boards gave it a neater appearance.
The fridge originally stood beside the kitchen, but moving it away and covering it with basswood boards gave it a neater appearance.
In this simple space, the furniture the couple owned prior to the renovation – such as a Hans J Wegner dining table and armchairs – shines with newfound radiance. The owners point out that they like the process of collecting small things over time.
The day curtains are made of translucent fabric that makes the room feel connected to the outside, even when they’re fully drawn. Even the air conditioner, which in many homes sticks out like a sore thumb, serves as a colourful accent.
The owners tell us that turning the flat into a studio has made it much more comfortable, with better light and air flow. The space is now much more in sync with the rhythm of their lives.
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Share your thoughts about this apartment in the Comments.
The day curtains are made of translucent fabric that makes the room feel connected to the outside, even when they’re fully drawn. Even the air conditioner, which in many homes sticks out like a sore thumb, serves as a colourful accent.
The owners tell us that turning the flat into a studio has made it much more comfortable, with better light and air flow. The space is now much more in sync with the rhythm of their lives.
Tell us…
Share your thoughts about this apartment in the Comments.
Who lives here? A married couple
Location Osaka, Japan
Size 45.81 sq m
Designer Takeshi Hamada of Hamada Design
Completion date 2019
Photos by Yohei Sasakura