Add versatility to your spatial planning by adopting the traditional Japanese concept of Washitsu.
PORTABLE PIECES
The pandemic has forced many of us to reconsider the way we use our space at home. With our work life transplanted into our domestic life and our nearest and dearest are now also our coworkers, we may not have the luxury of having spaces dedicated to just one specific function all the time. A living room may have to be the office during the day, the dining room may have to be the kids’ classroom outside of makan time.
The Japanese are ahead of us when it comes to spatial multifunctionality. Having to deal with frequent earthquakes, their traditional houses are filled with portable, light and loose design elements that can be reconfigured or cleared with ease to suit the dwellers’ needs. In fact, the central feature of a traditional Japanese house is an open room without a specific function called the Washitsu, which translates to a generic “Japanese room”.
Washitsu’s function depends on the needs of its occupants. In its default state, it is an empty space with tatami flooring, shoji doors that can be slid open to let the fresh air and natural light inside, and, if the homeowner can afford to be a bit fancier, a tokonoma, or an alcove to display ornamental or precious things like a potted bonsai or ikebana arrangements.
This philosophy seems particularly relevant to our times. So here are some elements to help you put your own spin on Washitsu.
TATAMI 9-IN-1 SOFA BED
Made with genuine tatami from Japan and can be used in nine different ways and stowed away neatly when not in use.
SUMMIT CHAIR
A classic Scandinavian chair reimagined with the compact Japanese spatial proportion.
MUJI BEAD SOFA
A Japanese take on a bean bag sofa. $169 for the sofa and $49 for the knitted cover.
CONVERTIBLE SYSTEMS
KITCHOO K6 POCKET KITCHEN
An ingenious Swiss-technology pocket kitchen that requires only 1.54 sqm to function.
SLUMBERDESK
A desk that transforms into a bed, instantly converting a home office into a bedroom.
DELTA DINING TABLE
A 2.9-metre dining table that can be retracted into a 40cm-wide console when not in use.
MURPHY STUDY DESK & SHELF
A cosy workstation that flips into a bed frame with a complimentary mattress.
ACCESS TO AIR, LIGHT AND VIEW
SHOJI DOORS
Authentic shoji made to order in Japan.
BLINK SCREEN
Add a little industrial touch with this modernist piece designed by Yabu Pushelberg.
MAISON LACROIX FINITION ONYX LARGE SCREEN
Featuring six 25-mm-thick plywood panels with stainless steel edges etched with an exquisite motif on both sides.
YOU ARE ALLOWED TO BE A BIT FANCY
Most Japanese living rooms are designed with a Tokonoma (alcove) to display precious things. Consider a modern interpretation like this.
KUMIKO CABINET
Featuring a built-in screen that casts a playful shadow when you put a light inside.
IK EBANA VASES
The Jaime-Hayon-designed vases interpret Ikebana for modern times.
Starts from $295 from Fritz Hansen Lounge Singapore.
