Tokyo-based design firm, Atelier Bow-Wow coined the term “pet architecture” to describe buildings squeezed in to left over urban spaces. Why the cute conclusion? Principals Yoshiharu Tsukamoto and Momoyo Kajima, explain: “Pets, companion animals of the people, are usually small, humorous and charming. We find what we call ‘pet architecture,’ architecture having pet like characteristics, existing in the most unexpected places within the Tokyo city limits.”
From a handful of Bow-Wow’s stunning, smart designs to buildings so thin they look like a sheet of paper, click through to check out some of the most incredible buildings built for the teeny, tiny slivers of leftover land in our increasingly dense urban areas.
Split Machiya by Atelier Bow-Wow – Tokyo, Japan
Photo credit: Manuel Oka via designboom
Tower Machiya by Atelier Bow-Wow – Tokyo, Japan
Image credit:
Tower House by Atelier Bow-Wow – Tokyo, Japan
Image credit: Atelier Bow-Wow; drz
House & Atelier Bow-Wow by Atelier Bow-Wow – Tokyo, Japan
Image credit: Atelier Bow-Wow; archdaily
Ogimachi Global Dispensing Pharmacy by TKY Japan – Osaka, Japan
Image credit: ninkipen!
House in Tamatsu by Ido, Kenji Architectural Studio – Osaka, Japan
Photo credit: Yohei Sasakura via dezeen
Parasite Office Concept by Za Bor Architects – Moscow, Russia
Image credit: Za Bor Architects via designboom
SOHO + apartment by Schemata Architects – Tokyo, Japan
Photo credit: Takumi Ota via Schemata Architects
Billboard Building by Klein Dytham Architecture – Tokyo, Japan
Image credit: Klein Dytham
Coffee Saloon Kimoto – Tokyo, Japan
Image credit: Jean Snow
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