The program "Jūnin Toiro ~Ie ni Aru Kazoku Katachi~" (MBS, Saturdays at 5pm, Kansai local broadcast, etc.), hosted by talent Mifune Mika and actor Taro Suruga, will feature a home designed by a remote-working couple in Fukuoka City that allows them to switch between work and leisure, in its March 14th broadcast.
The residents are a family of three with a one-year-old child. Five years ago, they moved back to their hometown from Tokyo, and last year they built a new home in the wife's hometown. With their work shifting to remote work due to the pandemic, the couple intentionally made the house full of stairs, from the approximately 20-tatami mat living-dining-kitchen area on the first floor to their workspaces on the second and third floors, to serve as a substitute for commuting and help them switch gears mentally.
The house's box-like shape was essential for switching between work and leisure. By creating different spaces within each box, the workspace and living space were clearly separated, allowing for a clear distinction between daily life and leisure. The top floor is the husband's office, with the bedroom and the wife's study/office in between. The husband's office is shaped like a protruding box, so it is not overlooked by the neighboring house and offers excellent views.
Thanks to the many boxes, they were able to create a terrace that's perfect for taking a break from remote work. There's also an outdoor staircase leading to the garden, so having lunch in the garden during short breaks is the best way to relax. The husband laughs and says, "Honestly, right after it was built, I was worried that the shape might be a little unusual, but now that we're actually living here, I'm very satisfied and find it very comfortable."
"Jūnin Toiro" is a program that visits homes across Japan and introduces the unique features and charms of the homes of their inhabitants. After the broadcast, it is available for streaming on TVer for one week.
