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Utility is a functional space where housework can be done smoothly. It is a “backstage” space, but it plays an important role in doing housework efficiently. Because its role relates closely to household circulation and space, utility spaces are totally different depending on the lifestyle of each family.
Of the 158 houses we introduced in the magazine, only 34% had a utility space. Particularly in Japan where space is limited, not many houses have a utility, and the bathroom serves as the place to undress and wash clothes. In this issue, we would like to analyze utility spaces, concentrating on the time-consuming task of laundry (undress, washing, drying, folding, stowing away ).
In Europe, many houses have utility space downstairs where the facilities are. In America, the pantry, kitchen and utility are laid out close to the garage, minimizing the household circulation. This relates deeply to the American lifestyle of separating private and public spaces. Japan, full of water resources, washed clothes in the rivers for a long time. Thus, it was common to place the washing machine outside the house, and the optimal position of the utility is still not certain, mainly because the washing machine specs and water resources deeply affects planning. The drum type washing machine can be positioned under the bathroom counter, but most of the Japanese washing machines are the lateral type where the doors open toward the ceiling. Also, eccentricities of Japanese laundry style (such as using the water from the bathtub and drying clothes outside) makes the housework circulation difficult and planning needs to be done more carefully than in Europe or America. In this issue, the merits and demerits of the utility position is analyzed. It is important to find the utility layout that fits your lifestyle. Utility spaces make the house beautiful, and by making the spaces comfortable, housework will not become a big stress.

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