Compact Design

As Japanese society makes the transition from growth to maturity, people's desire for material objects is beginning to change. "Compact" has become a key word for those living with fewer, smaller possessions. To enable comfortable living in a country with limited habitable land, compact designs have been produced in Japan for centuries. From stackable boxes and bowls, to sliding screens that change the size of a room, such designs have become part of a traditional aesthetic that finds beauty in simplicity. Explore the thinking behind Japan's compact design with the help of our studio guest, architect Koichi Suzuno.