Dreaming of Blue Skies? This Tokyo Artist’s Home Is the Outdoors!
Imagine waking up to the gentle Tokyo breeze, sunlight streaming directly into your living room, and the sky – literally – as your ceiling. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, for architect and artist Zajirogh, this isn’t just a fantasy; it’s his daily reality in the heart of Zempukuji, Tokyo. This vibrant neighborhood, a haven for artists and manga creators, is where Zajirogh, along with his wife and three children, calls a truly extraordinary 57 square meter (that’s about 613 square feet!) house home. And trust us, it’s anything but typical.
Zajirogh, who has always harbored a childhood longing to live in a camper or on a ship, believes a small house is much like a boat – designed for comfortable living within a compact footprint. In fact, he even incorporated actual sailboat fastening devices into his home’s design!
Where the Indoors Meets the Open Sky
What truly sets this house apart is its audacious, beautiful heart: a living room with no roof! This isn’t just a quirky design choice; it’s a brilliant solution born from a desire to live under the “blue sky” – reminiscent of the family’s beloved camping adventures. Facing strict size regulations for new houses in the area, Zajirogh ingeniously turned what would typically be a roofed living room into an open-air courtyard. This central, expansive area even doubles as the main entrance, ensuring that crowded Japanese entrances are a thing of the past.
The concrete floor in this open space is a practical dream, perfectly suited for both indoor and outdoor use. And the furniture? It’s all chosen from camping goods, making it quick to move and completely impervious to rain! Don’t worry about the elements; items you want to keep dry can simply be tucked away to the side. Tokyo’s seasons are no match for this smart design either. Heated floors keep the living room cozy in winter, feeling incredible on bare feet, while the air conditioning in summer surprisingly keeps the cool air contained, even with an open top. A large glass door thoughtfully protects the TV and piano from the weather, and a discreet steel door hides away household essentials like vacuum cleaners.
Ingenious Interiors: Every Inch, Mastered
Step across the subtle dividing line on the concrete floor – complete with a clever drainage system for rain – and you enter the more traditional indoor spaces. The L-shaped kitchen, boasting a chic ceramic top, is a hub of activity. It’s equipped with a stainless steel sink, a gas cooktop, a range hood, and even a fish grill – a true chef’s delight! Open shelving ensures everything is within reach, while bright yellow doors cleverly conceal those less-than-glamorous items. And, in a stroke of genius, the space beneath the stairs is fully utilized for extra storage.
For a family of five, a large dining table is non-negotiable, and it takes pride of place in the center of the kitchen. Three individually switchable pendant lights illuminate meals, and to save precious table space, the Bluetooth speaker (broadcasting TV audio from the living room!) is cleverly hung above the table.
The lower floor also houses the bathroom facilities, designed with the family’s daily rhythm in mind. With five people sharing, the vanity is smartly separated from the main bathing area, allowing multiple family members to get ready simultaneously. The toilet is tucked efficiently under the stairs, a testament to maximizing every square inch. A multi-purpose laundry room isn’t just for washing and drying; it doubles as clothes storage and a changing area after baths. And the main bathroom? It’s a typical Japanese “wet room” with both a shower and a bathtub. The best part? The bathtub faces the courtyard with a window that looks out to the entrance, allowing natural light to stream in directly from the open roof on sunny days. A curtain provides privacy when needed.
Vertical Living: Sanctuaries and Future-Proof Spaces
Ascending to the upper floor, you’ll find more thoughtful design solutions. Another toilet is strategically placed at the top of the stairs – because for a family of five, two toilets are essential, even in a small home. Its custom door ingeniously pulls double duty as the door to the upper floor itself!
This level also features a small office and entertainment area, where Zajirogh’s wife works and the children enjoy TV and games after school. And for Zajirogh himself? Tucked into a corner is his personal sanctuary: a tiny, one-square-meter study, packed with shelves and a desk, where he draws and creates. In the evenings, this multi-functional space transforms into the couple’s bedroom, with futons laid directly on the floor – a common and adaptable practice in Japan that allows rooms to serve multiple functions.
The children’s bedroom is on the opposite side of the upper floor, where they sleep in a loft above a large shared desk. Here’s a brilliant touch: the bedroom bookshelf actually serves as the stairs for the kids to climb to their loft! Large windows flood both the study and bedrooms with natural light, and abundant storage, maximizing wall space and height, keeps everything tidy. Looking to the future, this children’s area is even designed to be divided into three separate rooms, offering more privacy as they grow. There’s even access to additional storage above Zajirogh’s study from their room.
Finally, a balcony wraps around the open roof, offering yet another unique space. Zajirogh has a small desk here for painting, unconcerned about making a mess. This is also where he can operate the mechanism to open and close the roof – how cool is that?! The house’s location in a quiet residential neighborhood, with a large park, school, and shops within walking distance, truly makes it an ideal spot for family life.
A Bold Blueprint for Our Future Homes
Being his own client, Zajirogh had the ultimate freedom to challenge architectural norms, most notably by daring to omit the roof over the living room. This isn’t just a house; it’s a living, breathing testament to how imagination, coupled with intelligent design, can overcome urban living challenges and strict regulations. It’s a truly inspiring example that offers invaluable insights for future clients and designers alike. Zajirogh’s family home proves that comfort, adaptability, and profound uniqueness can absolutely thrive within a small footprint. It’s truly a boat on land, sailing through Tokyo’s urban landscape with style and ingenuity!