It seems that the number of windows shipped is decreasing due to the sharp increase in single-story houses.

A few years ago, "single-story" houses started to become popular in the housing industry. Although ordinary people have a strong desire for single-story houses, when it comes to building a single-story house, many people have given up for reasons such as "it requires a large plot of land," "the construction costs will increase," and "even if you can fit it into your plot of land, the garden will be small."

However, land in the countryside is incredibly spacious and cheap. I believe that this, combined with low-cost builders, has led to a sudden increase in single-story houses.

When I talked to a certain window manufacturer, I learned that the number of housing starts nationwide has been falling sharply since around October last year. The decline in the Tohoku area is particularly severe. It may be that the reduction in the number of housing starts that has been predicted for several years has already begun.

What's even more difficult is

"The number of windows used per building is decreasing due to the increase in single-story houses."

It is said that.

Matsuo Design Office has designed several single-story buildings so far. However, there are just as many people who say, "I wanted to build a single-story house, but I had to give up because of the above-mentioned reasons."

In such cases, I recommend a "almost single-story house." There are many benefits to a single-story house, but personally,

"When the children leave the house and my legs get weaker, I can complete all of my daily life on the first floor."

I think this sums it up. The photo below is of a "nearly single-story house" that I designed about 10 years ago.

In that case, only the children's room will be on the second floor, and there will be no toilet on the second floor. This is something most people can do without giving up, both in terms of budget and space. Personally, I think the next trend after single-story houses (although I don't like the word trend...) will be this "almost single-story" house.