Currently, an elevated railway line runs at a high altitude overhead; however, in the past, the tracks were located much lower, imposing restrictions that prohibited the construction of buildings directly beneath them. Consequently, in this area, a series of houses were built with a reversed north-south orientation—gardens positioned on the north side and buildings clustered on the south side, opening northward. The pre-existing structure on this site followed the same layout and reportedly required artificial lighting even during the day and was notably cold in winter. With these conditions in mind, the primary design brief for the rebuild was to create a bright and warm home.
Designed for a family of four—husband, wife, and two adult children—the site measures just under 30 tsubo (approximately 99 square meters), with a floor-area ratio of 80%, limiting the available space. To maximize efficiency, private rooms were thoughtfully arranged while allocating generous space to the public areas. Furthermore, due to the close proximity of neighboring buildings, the design strategically incorporates high-side windows, skylights, and vertical wooden slats to ensure a continuous influx of soft, diffused natural light.
The client runs a machinery manufacturing company, and one of the children is a skilled furniture craftsman. As a result, the family collaborated on the first joint project: designing and fabricating the kitchen. Despite its modest size, the kitchen boasts a simple yet highly functional design. The wife particularly looks forward to cooking in this bright and inviting space.
