Set in a tightly-planned neighborhood in Osaka, the home makes the most of a limited lot. The face of the home is a fully glazed to maximize daylighting, and it’s set deep into the lot for privacy and to control heat gain in the summer. The living space has two-story floor-to-ceiling windows, which makes the limited floor area seem much more generous. The centerpiece of the home is an elegantly ascending open staircase. The layout provides central access to the verticality of the floor plan but still allows for view corridors from front to back — a smart strategy to keep the home from feeling claustrophobic.
The home’s vertical program balances public and private spaces while providing the interior spaces with plenty of natural light. Centrally-located skylights work with the home’s open, airy floor plan to allow daylight to penetrate down to the bottom floor. The kitchen and dining area is a sublime integrated space that is enhanced by contrasting finishes. The bath features a full-height mirror that enhances its visual size and functionality. The sink and counter seem to hover in the middle of the space as a result.
+ Fujiwara Muro Architects
Via Archidose
Photos by Shintaro Fujiwara
[1]
The Showa-cho House in Osaka Japan is an amazingly airy residence despite its miniscule 59 x 13-foot lot. Architect Fujiwara Muro made incredible use of the limited space available by building up and splitting the home in half with a staircase, which as
[2]
Set in a tightly-planned neighborhood in Osaka, the home makes the most of a limited lot. The face of the home is a fully glazed to maximize daylighting, and it’s set deep into the lot for privacy and to control heat gain in the summer.
[3]
The living space has two-story floor-to-ceiling windows, which makes the limited floor area seem much more generous.
[4]
The centerpiece of the home is an elegantly ascending open staircase.
[5]
The home’s vertical program balances public and private spaces while providing the interior spaces with plenty of natural light.
[6]
Centrally-located skylights work with the home’s open, airy floor plan to allow daylight to penetrate down to the bottom floor.
[7]
The kitchen and dining area is a sublime integrated space that is enhanced by contrasting finishes.
[8]
A view from the kitchen thought the home, letting the room be separate but a part of the living spaces.
[9]
A simple bedroom lays at the base of the home, a quite and cool nook away from the living area.
[10]
The bath features a full-height mirror that enhances its visual size and functionality. The sink and counter seem to hover in the middle of the space as a result.
[11]
A cross section reveals the simple yet brilliant design of the home. A vertical program with central access provided by the staircase balances public space and private while maximizing light and views throughout. A tucked-under parking garage completes
[12]
Perhaps only from above does the floor plans true narrowness show itself.
[13]
The lower private space is a simple layout with a walk out garden.