The "HOUSE VISION 2 TOKYO EXHIBISION," a project that sees the home as a crossroads for future industries, has begun in Tokyo's Odaiba Aomi district. HOUSE VISION, directed by leading Japanese graphic designer Kenya Hara, proposes homes of the future, designed by up-and-coming creators and internationally renowned architects in collaboration with corporations.

FASHION HEADLINE toured these "homes of the future" and reports on the full story.

The entire venue, from the entrance to the main plaza and the 12 exhibition houses, was designed by world-renowned architect Kengo Kuma. As befits Kuma, known as a master of Japanese design, the entrance, plaza, and corridors feature abundant wood, creating a space that exudes tranquility and comfort.

Led by the scent of trees, we visited the "Yoshino Cedar House." This home was designed by the promising young architect Go Hasegawa and Airbnb, the San Francisco-based company that has revolutionized the concept of travel. "We worked with Airbnb to consider building a house based on the theme of 'a house that reexamines the relationship between host and guest.' Rather than simply building the house and leaving it at that, we decided to relocate the house to the area and rent it out on Airbnb as an initiative to revitalize depopulated areas," says Hasegawa. The town of Yoshino in Nara supported and cooperated with this initiative. Using trees from Yoshino, a region famous for its cedar and cypress, the house has become a community space for the people of Yoshino and attracts visitors from both Japan and abroad. This house, which is "hosted by the community," features a large table and a spacious veranda on the first floor, which is used as a space for everyone, while the attic-like second floor is for guests. "That's why the scents of the trees on the first and second floors are different—the first floor has a sweet scent, while the second floor has a refreshing scent, so I hope you'll experience that as well," Hasegawa comments. After the exhibition concludes in November, the house will return to Yoshino and be registered on Airbnb, where it will begin accepting reservations. Next, we visited the "Nomad House." This exquisitely renovated space was created by architects Makoto Tanijiri and Ai Yoshida in collaboration with Isetan Mitsukoshi. Aimed at a hypothetical client—a "new nomad" who travels the world with just a laptop—Mitsukoshi Isetan selected and sourced the items to create a home that perfectly embodies the client's personal lifestyle. "That's why we kept the architecture simple, using only black iron, reclaimed cedar, and mortar to create a space that highlights the client's belongings and lifestyle. We also left ample space in the shed inside, creating a veranda-like area to serve as a place for communication with friends," explains Tanijiri. The tallest of the 12 homes is the "Rental Space Tower." This home was built by Sou Fujimoto, a recipient of numerous international architecture awards, in collaboration with Daito Trust Construction. The theme of this design is "rental housing that redefines personal and shared space." While the shared spaces—including the kitchen, bathroom, library, and garden—are spacious, the private spaces are packed with the bare essentials of daily life: a bed, toilet, and storage. With people of all ages and occupations—elderly and young, single people and young couples—living together, this rental property is sure to foster fresh connections. Gentle communication is fostered throughout the common spaces.

And while it's not a home, the "Checkered Waterside," a collaboration between Sumitomo Forestry, plant designer Seijun Nishihata, and Kengo Kuma, soothed us as we continued our reporting under the summer sky. It's a cozy garden made with trees, water, and wood. The checkered pattern is assembled as a single unit, making it possible to create a garden anywhere in the city. Enjoy the midsummer coolness by dipping your feet in the cool water beneath the shade of the trees.

The rest area, "Reiryo Coffee Shop Ien," created by AGF (Ajinomoto General Foods) and Go Hasegawa, offers iced coffee made with beans roasted specifically for Japan's soft water, along with frozen desserts from Eitaro Sohonpo, a Japanese confectionery shop established in the Edo period. The hemp noren curtains fluttering in the sea breeze and the refreshing aroma of Yoshino cypress benches wafting through the air as you sip your iced coffee will surely soothe us both now and in the future. Also in the main hall, Tsutaya Bookstore and the Anjin Lounge on the second floor of Daikanyama Tsutaya Bookstore will be opening satellite stores. Approximately 3,000 books on the theme of "housing" are on display, and HOUSE VISION-related books are also available for pre-sale. Furthermore, talk sessions with a diverse range of guests, including architects, artists, and designers, are scheduled daily throughout the exhibition (until August 28th). By touring the HOUSE VISION venue, you will be able to see the various issues facing Japan today, such as economic stagnation, population decline, frequent natural disasters, and increasing communication stress, as well as 12 approaches to the future. Many of the exhibited houses have been approved and are ready for use tomorrow. These realistic, not just fantasy, homes of the future—what kind of life would you like to live in each of them?

【Exhibition Information】
HOUSE VISION 2016 TOKYO EXHIBITION
Dates: July 30th - August 28th, 2016
Time: 11:00 - 20:00 (last admission 19:30)
Admission: Adults 1,800 yen, Students 1,500 yen