arabbitshole

^{colin chee published by daylon hicks}

Colin Chee, the founder and creative director of Never Too Small, has elevated the importance of small-space living in a big way. His work focuses on delivering exceptional quality, with meticulous attention to detail and cinematography serving as a defining element in every episode. What makes his work stand out is in the curation of the spaces he features.

In early October, they released an episode featuring a 1970s Madrid apartment redesigned by architect Eduardo Mediero, founder of HANGHAR, for himself and his partner Pelayo. The creative direction reflects the project’s minimalist ethos, using measured pacing and controlled framing to communicate the importance of less is more. Through the use of light and texture, the cinematography elevated the reflective steel ceiling panels typically present from modular office systems and MDF storage volumes that structure the space, emphasizing both material honesty and personal intimacy.

The episode as a whole embodies their purpose of translating architectural intention into an engaging story. Each choice reinforces the sense of restraint and precision that defines Mediero’s design, yet the film also captures the warmth of the environment of Madrid. The slow, deliberate camera movements invite the viewer to experience the apartment as it is, pausing to notice how light moves across surfaces or how materials interact in everyday use. Subtle sound design and pacing create an atmosphere of calm reflection all done by design.

Conversely, the episode profiling architect Masato Igarashi of IGArchitects presents a distinct spatial narrative. His multi-level home, defined by high ceilings is captured through dynamic camera movements and layered compositions that highlight the function and rhythm of each level. Here, the creative direction expands the viewer’s sense of scale, transforming a compact structure into a visually generous space. The brand’s minimalist aesthetic and consistent vision of transparency are evident across all of Never Too Small’s platforms, from its social media and website to its magazine series, and documentary projects such as Small Footprintand Wonderful Waste. Guided by Colin, this  approach reflects a commitment to authenticity, design integrity, and meaningful storytelling that extends beyond digital media into print and film.

Together, these episodes illustrate Never Too Small’s adaptive storytelling, its ability to translate architectural intent into cinematic language credited by Colin. For him, his purpose in founding Never Too Small is to redefine small-space living by using cinematic storytelling to celebrate design innovation, focus on sustainable living, and foster a global community that values creativity.