Continuing to push the boundaries of small-footprint living spaces, tokyo-based architects takeshi and yuka komada have recently designed 'BASE house' in response to both the mixed-use needs of the client and the imposing height regulations of setagaya-ku, the largest of the special wards that comprise the most populous municipality of tokyo. the live-work space is built over a slight 33 square meter site and consolidates an office and two levels of dwellings by brilliantly piercing the floor planes with ladders and spiral stairs. the impressively compact circulation is meticulously vertical and layered, such that maximum volume is allowed. while the art event planning office opens out to the public street, a careful composition of apertures serves to extend the home out to the sky and city-scape while giving the impression of wider lateral room.