‘small case study house’ exhibition view image courtesy redcat gallery photo © scott groller

atelier bow-wow, the tokyo architecture studio led by yoshiharu tsukamoto and momoyo kajima explores the use and function of space within urban environments. bow-wow developed the term ‘pet architecture’—a style of small, ad hoc, multi-functional structures that make the most of limited space, a phenomenon in densely developed cities like tokyo that integrate need, improvisation and ingenuity.

in its first solo U.S. exhibition, atelier bow-wow shows three microstructures that collectively offer a contemporary spin on the idea of minimal low-cost housing. ‘small case study house’ consists of  ‘BBQ coliseum’, a circular structure directed toward oil can barbeques, ‘sunset house’ and ‘hammock house’, all of which are built with salvaged wood from deconstructed homes in los angeles.

‘small case study house’ is on view at the gallery at redcat in los angeles through march 29, 2009.

http://www.bow-wow.jp http://redcat.org

atelier bow wow: 'small case study house' at redcat gallery ‘hammock house’ image courtesy redcat gallery photo © scott groller

atelier bow wow: 'small case study house' at redcat gallery ‘hammock house’ image courtesy redcat gallery photo © steven a gunther

atelier bow wow: 'small case study house' at redcat gallery ‘BBQ coliseum’ image courtesy redcat gallery photo © scott groller

atelier bow wow: 'small case study house' at redcat gallery ‘BBQ coliseum’ image courtesy redcat gallery photo © scott groller

atelier bow wow: 'small case study house' at redcat gallery ‘BBQ coliseum’ image courtesy redcat gallery photo © scott groller

atelier bow wow: 'small case study house' at redcat gallery ‘BBQ coliseum’ image courtesy redcat gallery photo © steven a gunther

atelier bow wow: 'small case study house' at redcat gallery ‘small case study house’ exhibition view image courtesy redcat gallery photo © scott groller

atelier bow wow: 'small case study house' at redcat gallery ‘sunset house’ image courtesy redcat gallery photo © scott groller

atelier bow wow: 'small case study house' at redcat gallery ‘sunset house’ image courtesy redcat gallery photo © scott groller

atelier bow wow: 'small case study house' at redcat gallery ‘sunset house’ image courtesy redcat gallery photo © steven a gunther