TITLE:
Development of a “Space-Saving Model” for a One-Family Dwelling Case Study of Japanese Architecture with Space Limitations
AUTHORS:
Jorge Romero
KEYWORDS:
Architecture, Space-Saving Design, Globalization of Building Codes, Universal Design, Minimal Architecture
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Building Construction and Planning Research,
Vol.3 No.4,
December
21,
2015
ABSTRACT: The rapid globalization of building standards and codes in regards of contemporary housing and
the growth of populations during this century demands an immediate response from designers in
terms of space rationalizing to fulfill the forthcoming lack of architectural habitat on earth. The
differences in culture imply a difference in the way of living, and the way of living indicates a contrast
in the way of designing houses. A western house does not need an extra room covered with
tatami mats for relaxation as a modern Japanese home would most likely do, as a separate living-like space. Organizations, among others, like CABO (Council of American Building Officials)
and, in our specific case study, BCJ (Building Center of Japan) together with BRI (Building Research
Institute) try to overcome these differences to provide better housing conditions to the world
through the formulation of global designing and building standards. International publications
like UBC (Uniform Building Code), IBC (International Building Code), OTFDC (One and Two Family
Dwelling Code) and BSLJ (Building Standard Law of Japan) have also played an important role to
globalize safety and design codes to better understand global housing under normal conditions.
However, space limitations and concentration of human masses in mega cities result in a crucial
new consideration: the urgent need of investigating the possibilities of rationally living within less
space. Minimums provided by most codes do not take into account the space issue and overpopulation
of large cities. Providing with some design recommendations for one-family dwellings has
been the departure point and main motivation to carry out this case study based on actual buildings
with the lack of space conditioning in a country where these conditions turn into reality.