The Future University in Hakodate, Hokkaido, is a breath of fresh air amid the staid architectural environments of most Japanese universities. With a campus that looks like something from the pages of a design magazine, it also boasts a forward-thinking program centering on information and communication technology - they even have a department of media architecture. Recording artist and writer Nick Currie, better known as Momus, is currently a guest of the faculty, directing an audio art installation called "Lost Radio, Found Sound." No stranger to the world of design, Momus frequently covers the topic in his Click Opera blog essays, and he contributes to the Design Observer and Voice: AIGA Journal of Design.

It was recently reported that the upcoming Swatch flagship store in Ginza will be designed by Shigeru Ban. Known for his frequent use of cardboard - like in the refuges he designed to help the survivors of the big Hanshin quake of 1995 - he is also currently overseeing construction of the Euro Pompidou Center in Metz, promising a "space that can be changed depending on the climate or occasion." It will be interesting to see how much free rein he'll have in creating Swatch's big push in the Japanese luxury market. The first floor will gather a collection of luxury shops selling the various Swatch brands, while the upper floors will be occupied by the customer service department and Swatch's new Japanese headquarters. Here's hoping we get a change from ubiquitous Ginza luxury "box" - the new Chanel store being a prime example. Some playful forms would certainly give the area some much needed diversity, and would be a nice expression for the Swatch brand itself.

It seems that wherever you look these days (in printed media at least), there's talk about the idea of building yourself a new home, or at least renovating your current residence with a more interesting and modern design. Is 2005 set to be the year of the home? Last month's column mentioned the Muji and Infill collaboration "Ki no Ie," which brings the simple and clean esthetics of the Muji brand (or non-brand, as the name suggests) to the idea of instant housing. Muji is not alone in this - certain interior shops, like Cibone Aoyama, Arflex, and Actus, will also let you purchase a new home, although maybe without the build-your-own options of the "Ki no Ie" plan.

The latest issue of design magazine Casa Brutus (which this month features an English insert translating most of the articles) offers its take on the subject with a tour of some stunning residences. These include Tadao Ando's 4x4 House II (a wooden sequel to his original 4x4 House); Mikan's "House in Uehara" (boasting a structure that rests on the ceiling-high bookcases found within); Jun Naoki's lovely G; and the Atelier Bow-Wow's Black Dog House villa.

One thing that's immediately noticeable when looking at these homes is the innovative way in which the architects have created quite stunning designs in very difficult situations - in the narrow spaces between buildings or in places where there are remnants of a previous structure. Inspiring, to say the least, and perhaps something that might make some readers think about taking the plunge into the world of homeownership. Changes in tax laws this year are also going to make the proposition much more affordable. If the price is right, then why not?

The trend in recent years as been to go up (as in high-rises), offering tightly condensed living spaces in high-traffic areas - think the Roppongi Hills project and its surroundings. But with the "slow life" movement also gaining in popularity (exposed in countless gorgeously photographed new magazines covering the topic), maybe the next logical step is moving to less busy areas, with a desire to create a more clearly individualized lifespace. It remains to be seen whether all the recent hype - possibly the result of too many magazine editors trying to come up with the "next big thing" - will actually lead to an observable trend.

Still on the topic of homes, a look at some of the works of Keiichi Irie may very well stir up the desire for new living quarters. Although he's not limited to residences - he has created some lovely museums and office spaces as well as intriguing furniture designs - his new collection of alphabet homes, with names like C House, W House, and Y House, are all to die for. Now if only Tokyo city planners could get in touch with people like Irie when they work on public projects, we might all be living in a much more refined metropolis.