Matsudo Mansion Minimalist Tokyo Apartment by Bakoko

A great interior design renovation and refurbishment has been created by people at BAKOKO, an international design studio based in Tokyo, Japan. The designers have transformed this small 400 sq. ft typical ‘mansion’ apartment on the outskirts of Tokyo into their new home.

The transformation of this typical ‘mansion’ apartment on the outskirts of Tokyo demonstrates the adaptability of Japan’s post-war housing stock for providing affordable accommodation to the next generation of city dwellers.

Guided by the idea of a clean, bright, modern home that serves as a place to work and a place to rest, Townsend and Ohtsuki from BAKOKO have created this modern-minimal flat with an optimum use of space. What makes the Matsudo mansion really unique are the small luxurious details – things such as the tatami mat rest area, the Hinoki wood decking in the bathroom and the kitchen’s overhead garden make this contemporary home stand out. Two of the central doors slide apart to reveal a hot pink desk as well as a full length mirror. The key to the live/work lifestyle is being able to shut one’s work away and out of sight at the end of a hectic day.

The tatami area is not only a space for meditation, occasional dining, and entertaining. Come bedtime, a futon can be unfolded from the closet, thus saving space. The illuminated box along one wall holds nighttime reading material and doubles as a reading light and bedside table. The timber ’sonoko’ (decking) and bathtub surround are made from Hinoki wood.

Internal partitions were demolished to to maximize light penetration and provide an open-plan living arrangement. Closets flanking the main space are concealed behind full-length sliding doors.