Architecture

Suzuko Yamada Proves 26 Square Meters is All You Need for Urban Living

The Japanese architect strategically arranged vital essentials in this compact 280-square-foot space, including a toilet, bathroom, and kitchen, as well as two staircases and a cat-only cat walkway.

Por: Alejandro Carrillo March 27, 2025

Located in a densely populated residential neighborhood in Tokyo, Japan, beyond a bustling shopping street / Photo via Suzuko Yamada Architects

The project, undertaken by Suzuko Yamada Architects, responded to the clients’ simple yet open-ended request: They desired only an external structure suitable for living and enough space for their cats to roam freely, leaving the rest of the home’s evolution to time.

Located in a densely populated residential neighborhood in Tokyo, Japan, beyond a bustling shopping street, this small house was designed to accommodate a couple and their two cats. To address these needs, the architects established an enclosed volume that extended across the entire site, which measures less than 26 square meters (280 sq. ft.).

Within this compact footprint, essential living elements—including a toilet, bath, and kitchen—were strategically placed. Additional components, such as two staircases, a dedicated cat walkway, handrails, and a built-in bench, contributed to defining the space. With these elements in place, the interior quickly became layered with functional structures.

Inside, the spatial perception is fragmented—no single vantage point allows all objects to be seen simultaneously. The sheer presence of each component challenges the scale of the house itself, with some elements appearing as large or even larger than the overall space. A rough concrete wall catches the play of light and moisture, yet its full extent remains ambiguous.

Architecture in motion

The wall seems to extend beyond the boundaries of perception, its substantial mass lending the house an almost geological quality. Rather than a conventional home that distinctly belongs to its inhabitants, the space takes on an existence of its own—standing as a structure that feels as much a part of the cityscape as it does a personal dwelling.

Daily life unfolds in the voids between these architectural elements. The routine of cooking, dining, bathing, and laundry fills the negative spaces, creating a dynamic interplay between the physical framework and the objects that inhabit it. The placement of each element suggests a natural adaptation as if they have found their resting places in response to the house’s unique structure.

Amidst this arrangement, the couple’s two cats navigate effortlessly, while the breeze from an open window threads through the house, merging with the shifting light. Suzuko Yamada Architects has crafted an environment where architecture and life exist in a constant state of tension—coexisting, interacting, yet never fully merging. The design acts as a catalyst for daily life, while in return, the life within the house reinforces the presence of its architecture. This delicate balance defines the essence of the project.

Her own path in architecture

Suzuko Yamada Architects, founded by architect Suzuko Yamada in 2013, is a Tokyo-based architectural studio known for its experimental and spatially dynamic designs. Yamada, born in Tokyo in 1984, completed her undergraduate studies at Keio University’s Faculty of Environment and Information Studies in 2007. She later pursued a master’s degree in Architecture at Tokyo University of the Arts, refining her design philosophy.

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Before establishing her own practice, Yamada gained experience at Sou Fujimoto Architects, where she engaged with conceptual and avant-garde approaches to spatial design. In addition to leading her architectural firm, she serves as a part-time lecturer at ICS College of Arts and Meiji University’s Faculty of Science and Technology.

Through projects like this compact urban residence, Suzuko Yamada Architects continues to explore the intersection of architecture, daily life, and natural forces, challenging conventional ideas of habitation and spatial ownership.

Key information

What was the main request from the clients to Suzuko Yamada? They wanted an outer shell for living and enough space for their cats to move freely, leaving the rest of the design to evolve over time.
How does the design create a unique spatial experience inside the house? The arrangement of large architectural elements fragments the space, making it impossible to perceive everything at once, giving the house an ambiguous and expansive feel.
What role do the couple’s cats play in the architectural concept? They move freely through the space, interacting with the architecture in a way that enhances the fluidity and dynamism of the design.
Who is the founder of Suzuko Yamada Architects, and what is her background? Suzuko Yamada founded the studio in 2013 after studying architecture at Tokyo University of the Arts and working at Sou Fujimoto Architects.

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