History
House M was completed in 2022 by Takehiko Suzuki Architects. It stands in Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Japan. The client resided on the original property for over 30 years.
The house occupies a wedge-shaped site, less than 30 sqm, a remnant from railroad elevation work.
Architecture
This minimalist house by Takehiko Suzuki Architects addresses an extremely small site. A central spiral staircase integrates various spaces. It blurs boundaries, making the master-servant relationship between distinct areas ambiguous.
The extreme smallness of the dining kitchen (7 sqm) and living room (4 sqm), combined with the spaciousness of the 4 sqm spiral staircase, forms a continuous living environment. This design transcends space and stairs, realizing a 'small vastness'. The structure design is by Kenichi Inoue. Materials include LIXIL, Toto, Aica Kogyo, and wood.
Setting
The property is located in Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Japan, on a wedge-shaped site under 30 sqm. Construction constraints position the entrance on the north side. Sunlight filters through the compact form, illuminating the continuous interior.
Specifications
Total floor area is 33 m². The design incorporates materials from LIXIL, Toto, and Aica Kogyo. Wood is used throughout.
In print
Featured: ArchDaily (2023), uni.xyz (2025), Never Too Small (YouTube) (2026), 新建築住宅特集 (2025年4月号), takehikosuzuki.com.
