The free enterprise economic system has granted entrepreneurs the privilege to create things that are then marketed to consumers as innovations that solve daily inconveniences and eventually delude consumers to believe these to be household needs, which in actuality, are merely just impulsive wants driven by the deliberate contrivance of marketing. The psychological impact of consumerism has spurred society to believe that we deserve zero inconveniences, whether minor or its occurrence is once in a blue moon; misleading us to believe that time must not be wasted on doing the slightest tasks deemed non-profiting or non-productive. Over time, these inventions pile up and occupy space exceeding the intended storage, which slowly congest the spatial aspect of our homes. An introspection: we take care after the needs of these inventions (a storage space) much more than they do for us — perhaps a 30-minute task; most inventions purchased are simply to clear out storage spaces for the retail shops that sold us these things.

Such awareness has impelled the team to adopt the Japanese’s way of living — minimalism, and subsequently, delivered a design emphasising functionality supplemented by other qualities such as essentiality and rusticity. The design in its entirety largely employed wood and stone materials, both in their unrefined state. The furniture selected in the living space and dining area reflects a rather rudimentary appearance yet without compromising its adequacy to discharge its intended functionality. In between the aforementioned common areas, the team has created a separation in the form of a pebbled walkway as a ‘mindfulness’ reminder that we are entering into another premise and shall detach from the engagement from the previous premise. The master bedroom also echoes the same sentiment with its fundamental furnishing and minimal wardrobe storage. A study table is not installed as the team has intended to disconnect work from home — a place to focus and reflect on just yourself; a chair is instead placed near to the windows for a casual book reading and whatnot. There is supposedly another bedroom, however, the team has instead converted it into a tea room for micro-gathering purposes; the tea room with its minimal furnishing within the spatial capacity conveyed the Japanese concept that embraces void and emptiness known as Ma. This allows the host and guests to focus on one another instead of being enticed or distracted by other decorative display items.

Again, the design is purported to condone self-reflection, self-efficacy, and self-sustenance. Because in a society with cluttered opinions on what equates to happiness and success, we shall declutter from time to time and perhaps, realise that we will get through life just alright.