George Kougiadis, a retired art investor from Australia who had spent a significant portion of his life in Japan, made the life-changing decision two years ago to return to his adoptive country with his wife Mika and their two energetic dogs, Jasper and Peaches. The couple was determined to find a unique living space that would serve as more than just a home, but their exhaustive searches initially turned up nothing that met their specific vision.
After months of futile searching, they discovered the perfect property listing in Tokyo: a striking three-story residence featuring a distinctive dark wooden facade. The elegant and mysterious structure combined the atmospheric qualities of a traditional Kyoto machiya townhouse with a sleek minimalist aesthetic. It was exactly what George had envisioned—something truly one-of-a-kind, inventive, and artistic enough to be considered a work of art in its own right.
When George contacted the real estate agent about the listing, expressing his ability to travel to Tokyo within days, he was surprised by her somewhat skeptical response. Two days later, calling from the airport, he understood her initial reaction. "She told me, 'I thought it was a joke,'" George recalls. "She said, 'I've been a real estate agent for many years, and no one has ever called from Australia saying they're coming tomorrow.'"
The remarkable house, situated in the quiet residential neighborhood of Senkawa, was designed by architect Mikio Tai 23 years ago. The original owners, a three-generation family, had participated in a contest sponsored by the Japanese culture magazine Brutus, with the prize being a dream house designed by a top architect. Although they didn't win the competition, they advanced to the final round, where architect Hiroshi Naito graciously referred them to his talented young apprentice, Tai.
The family presented Tai with one specific but challenging request: they wanted to be able to open their windows and feel natural breezes—a lovely aspiration that seemed incompatible with the privacy constraints of urban living. Tai's ingenious solution became the defining feature of the wooden facade: a series of amado, traditional Japanese storm shutters that provide both privacy and ventilation while maintaining the home's aesthetic appeal.
The transformative nature of these shutters creates two completely different experiences within the same space. When folded away, the shutters reveal a pair of external staircases running diagonally across floor-to-ceiling windows, fundamentally changing the home's character. This simple architectural shift transforms the residence from a private, enclosed sanctuary to a bright, inviting space filled with unfiltered sunlight and visual connection to the street outside. "It's amazing how much it changes," George explains. "It becomes a different house depending on my mood."
The innovative stair structure, positioned between the shutters and glass panels, eliminates the need for interior columns, maximizing the usable space throughout the home. The first floor accommodates a kitchen area, a traditional tatami room, and a bathroom. The second floor serves as the heart of the home, featuring a comfortable sectional, armchairs, and an ottoman arranged around a glass coffee table stacked with art books, plus a dining area and a small bedroom with original tatami flooring.
George made only minimal modifications to the original structure, removing an extra kitchen on the second floor and updating the bathroom. These changes were carefully planned in consultation with architect Tai and with input from the previous owners, with whom George maintains a close relationship. The former owner's grandmother still visits regularly for tea, highlighting the warm community connections that come with the property.
The third level creates an intimate retreat with its low ceiling formed by interlocking wooden beams, giving it the atmosphere of a secret hideout. The center of this floor opens to the living space below, allowing natural light to filter through and creating a sense of visual continuity between the levels. This loft space has become George's preferred sanctuary, where he can spend hours surrounded by his collection.
Despite its compact 925 square feet, every inch of the residence is purposefully utilized. George has thoughtfully hung paintings of various sizes throughout the house and strategically placed sculptures among his carefully curated collection of furniture and overflowing bookshelves. The artwork is so naturally integrated into the living space that rather than appearing to be on display, it feels like an organic extension of the home itself.
Remarkably, despite the size constraints, every piece fits perfectly within the space, creating the impression that the art collection was custom-made for this specific environment. The couple's previous apartment in Melbourne was significantly larger and more museum-like in its proportions. "Intellectually, it seems that place should be better for my art—the walls are bigger and painted white," George reflects.
However, the wooden walls and the way natural light moves through the Senkawa home have breathed new life into his collected works. The pieces seem more at home in this intimate setting, more seamlessly integrated into their living environment. "I've never seen my artwork look better," he says, noting how the warm wood tones and changing light conditions enhance each piece.
The residence showcases an impressive array of furnishings and artwork, including a Klara armchair by Patricia Urquiola for Moroso, a Nepal chair by Paola Navone for Baxter, and a Casablanca pouf from Henry Beguelin in the living area. The space features a glass-and-metal Alanda coffee table from B&B Italia, while "Balancing 3" by Melbourne sculptor Lauren Joffe rises near a sinuous ficus plant. Daniel Boyd's "Untitled SWNC 2023" hangs above a Refract resin console table by Hayden Cox, complemented by an Arco floor lamp from Flos and a Saarinen dining table from Knoll.
The dining area displays "Sculpture 16" by Japanese artist Daiki Nisiyama on a pedestal, while the vibrant painting "Take Time to Smell the Magnolias" by Sydney artist Alesandro Ljubicic dominates nearly an entire wall. British painter Ian Rayer-Smith's "Trampling Over the Subtle" hangs above a Camaleonda sectional from B&B Italia, creating a rich visual dialogue between different artistic voices.
George's philosophy about living with art has evolved through this move. "I want to be close to my furniture and art," he explains. "In the Melbourne apartment, everything seemed strangely far away. Here it feels just perfect." The intimate scale of the Tokyo home has created an environment where art and daily life intersect naturally, proving that sometimes smaller spaces can provide more meaningful experiences with treasured objects and artworks.
