Solving Japan's Elderly Housing Crisis - Make It Home

Being part of a family that loves traveling to Asia, especially Japan, I have gone countless times to Tokyo, Osaka, and most recently Yokohama. Though I always enjoy the tasty food, breathtaking views, and architecture wonders, I have also noticed one thing that stands out to me, the architecture. More so in residential areas, I have actually found that though there are so many beautiful houses that represent so much history and life, few are occupied residences. After learning a little more, I found that this is actually a big problem that Japan faces.

空き家 or Akiyas, literally mean empty house in Japanese and are a increasing issue in Japan's older residential areas. Many elderly who are grandparents or retired, can't afford to upkeep or demolish them, leaving what used to be full neighborhoods to become ghost towns. Also, because the next generation has a strong desire to live in urban environments, and avoid living in smaller towns, this further contributes to the problem.

I love all of Japan and what it stands for, but it is really hard for me to think how a lot of my favorite parts are becoming abandoned. That is why I wanted to use the power of Fusion 360 and 3D printing to help create very affordable yet comfortable communities for the elderly.

Tools:

1. FlashForge 3D Printer for bringing the designs to the physical world
2. Gorilla Glue for precise and sturdy construction

Software

1. Fusion 360 for optimal design and accurate detailing
2. FlashPrint for slicing and final edits on the printing side

Materials

1. Miniature grass paper
2. Tiny plastic plants, and trees
3. Black, White, Wood, Translucent, and Steel fiber PLA filament

Japan is grappling with a growing crisis of Akiya, vacant and abandoned homes, largely driven by its aging population. Many elderly homeowners, particularly in rural areas, no longer have the financial means to maintain or demolish their aging properties. Fixed incomes, high upkeep costs, and Japan’s strict building regulations often make it too expensive for seniors to repair or sell their homes. As a result, these houses are simply left to deteriorate. Inheritance laws and taxes further discourage younger generations from taking them on, especially if they live in cities or abroad. This has led to over 9 million vacant homes across Japan, a number that continues to rise. If action isn’t taken soon, through subsidies, legal reform, and creative reuse strategies, Japan risks seeing more towns hollowed out by a crisis that disproportionately burdens the elderly and drains local economies.

I truly believe that if I can create a home that is not only affordable, but also thoughtfully addresses key barriers—such as complicated inheritance laws, difficult maintenance, and a lack of emotional connection—then I can offer a solution that is both practical and heartfelt. By incorporating warm, familiar Japanese design elements and streamlining the ownership and upkeep process, this model has the potential to transform abandoned spaces into inviting homes once again. Sometimes, the most complex problems can begin to be solved with a simple, human-centered idea—and that’s what I’ve aimed to do with this project.

The available plot in Ōsato-chō is the perfect location for building a home that directly contributes to solving Japan’s growing akiya crisis. Situated in a quiet residential neighborhood of Kōfu City, this cleared and build-ready lot offers both accessibility and opportunity—within walking distance to two train stations, it balances convenience with a sense of community. Unlike many remote areas plagued by abandoned homes, Ōsato-chō has the infrastructure to support long-term living while still experiencing the pressures of aging demographics and vacant properties. By choosing to build here, I’m not only creating a sustainable and livable home, but also helping to revitalize the neighborhood, set a precedent for responsible redevelopment, and demonstrate how underused urban plots can be transformed into vibrant, community-strengthening residences.

Ōsato-chō, located in southern Kōfu City, has a long history going back to Japan’s samurai era. It was once a farming village known for rice fields and small local shrines. Over time, it became part of modern Kōfu through town mergers during the Meiji period. Even as the area developed into a residential neighborhood, it kept its peaceful, traditional feel. There are still old temples, parks, and schools that have been around for over a century. Today, Ōsato-chō is a quiet and convenient place to live, with a strong sense of history and community. However like most smaller towns in japan, has been brought to the slow downfall of Akiya.

First I sketched out the bubble diagram, a simple baseline I learned from an architect a while back. I wanted to have the basic elements of a traditional American house while also incorporating unique Japanese elements.

Building from the Bubble diagram, I now finalized the layout making the unique Japanese elements that I talked about in the previous step more apparent. I wanted to incorporate design elements that I thought were really interesting and have the potential to retain that traditional Japanese house feel, taking my swing at cultivating a more modern house that still keeps the feel of the old houses that are now replaced. I included a special features like a tatami room with an Irori (囲炉裏) for resting feet, an Engawa (縁側) as a thin hallway, and smaller features like an Ofuro (お風呂) bathtub.

Next I transformed my paper sketch into the floor plan for my later 3D model. I later remembered that though I drew lines on my paper model for walls, that couldn't be 3D printed. So after much time and editing, I thickened the walls to be exactly 7 inches if scaled up in the 2cm - 1 m conversion .

Starting with the floor, I finally elevated the 2D image to become 3D. Then moving to the walls, I finally had my very bare house structure done. I made sure not to extrude the holes that I made for the later Island, and tables.

To switch focus to the interior, I first started from the corner of the house in the living room. I would get distracted and start working on the windows, but I cam back to the interior later.

Since I thought that a little bit of light might help make the place more lively, I decided to add windows where I thought were necessary.

I had a vision of the roof looking similar to that of a tradition japanese style roof, so designing the layout and the 2D sketch was a little more difficult.

After much work on the physical base shape of the roof to the curved up edges, and finally the line indents running across the roof, my house's hat was finished.

One of the many choices I made to give the house a more japanese feel is the wooden brims. I added the brims to all of the windows, and the corners of the house.

My additions of a bed (which I am very proud of), a cabinet, multiple tables (and later desk and chair) made the house feel more lively.

Making sure whoever lived it the house had privacy, I decided to have the fun addition of windows.

I added a tiny backyard to give a little green to the house.

I am not the most organized, but I was extra messy because I was so excited to start printing! ...(also under a time crunch)

Because the gluing and assembling the pieces were a bit rushed, and took multiple hours over many days, I wasn't able to take great pictures, but I was able to get a picture of the bare house structure. Here you may notice that there are windows, however, during the gluing process, they were fogged up rendering them unappealing, so I later removed them.

After adding all of the rocks, bushes, and trees, my House was complete.

For a home that is both affordable and built to last, material selection is key. Using engineered wood, such as cross-laminated timber (CLT), provides the warmth and aesthetic of traditional Japanese architecture while offering durability, resistance to warping, and ease of assembly—perfect for rural renovation. Exterior walls can be finished with fiber cement siding, which mimics natural textures like wood or plaster but is highly resistant to weather, pests, and fire. For roofing, standing seam metal is a smart choice: it’s long-lasting, low-maintenance, and aligns well with the clean lines of Japanese design. Inside, the use of natural finishes like treated bamboo flooring and plaster walls not only supports easy cleaning and upkeep, but also preserves the minimalist, calming atmosphere typical of Japanese homes. These materials strike a balance between tradition and practicality, ensuring that the house remains beautiful and livable for decades with minimal upkeep.

This project has been more than just a design challenge—it’s been a reflection of my deep admiration for Japan. From its architecture to its sense of quiet beauty and balance, Japan has always inspired me. When I learned about the akiya housing crisis, it struck a chord. I saw not just empty houses, but pieces of history and culture being left behind.

By creating an affordable Japanese-style home and bringing it to life through 3D printing, I wanted to offer a small but meaningful answer to a big question: how do we honor what already exists, and make it livable again? This model represents my hope that these forgotten spaces can become homes once more—not just physically, but emotionally.

Through this process, I’ve combined my love for design with my love for Japan, and it’s reminded me how creativity can serve both people and places. I’m grateful for the chance to share this vision—one that begins with a single house, but speaks to something much larger.