team living residence by masatoshi hirai architects atelier

team living residence by masatoshi hirai architects atelier
all images courtesy of takumi ota

a client’s offhand comment about home caused a revelatory moment in the mind of japanese architect masatoshi hirai of MH architects atelier. further introspection lead to a disenchantment with modern residential design, wherein the personalities of inhabitants and family are lost, or hidden away, in favor of indiscernible galleries for public display.

apartment overview

this newfound distaste laid the foundation of ‘team living’, an apartment renovation project in downtown tokyo. both name and concept, ‘team living’ represents the significance of outside factors in relation to personal identity. in practice the principle is quite simple. unity, rather than individualism, is emphasized. private rooms and LDK are foregone, and the home’s various components, human and otherwise, are consolidated into a single unit — a team. unified, the individual is able to perceive the living environment, and what exists within it, as crucial components of self.

looking towards entrance and guest tea room 

architecturally, the interior is a series of environments that support, without dividing, the behaviors and necessities of each family member. with exception of the bathroom, spaces are grouped according to function. beds are in the bedroom, desks are in the study, clothing and storage is in the closet. at its core, ‘team living’ enables true personality to emerge by lessening the importance of the individual. no one exists in isolation. belonging, in spirit and space, serves as the driving force for a healthy, unique life. 

raised area with display shelving

view from raised floor towards familial closet/wardrobe area 

intersection of new and original elements; tea room entrance

bathroom with sliding wooden door 

sun-filled living area with dining table and balcony

guest tea room

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions  feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: nick brink | designboom