Introducing Garage House in Yashio, a custom-built home example by Atelier Cotocoto, a Architect / Design office in 4 Sekimachiminami, Nerima-ku, Tokyo

This residence was designed for a couple and their lively three sons. The site is enclosed on three sides by neighboring houses, and directly opposite the 4-meter-wide frontage road on the west side, houses are densely aligned, presenting significant challenges in securing privacy. The key design challenge was how to ensure privacy while creating a bright and open spatial experience.

The first floor primarily serves as a space for the husband's hobbies. Both interior and exterior surfaces are finished with exposed concrete, establishing a masculine and sleek atmosphere. A large sliding door clad with Galvalume steel sheets—matching the exterior walls—opens to reveal a motorcycle garage seamlessly integrated with the entrance. To enhance continuity between inside and outside, the floor incorporates black slate of the same material both indoors and outdoors. Additionally, the frontage narrows in a V-shape toward the back, accentuating a sense of depth.

At the end of this space, a spiral staircase extending up to the third floor leads to a warm and inviting living, dining, and kitchen (LDK) area that stands in stark contrast to the industrial feel of the first floor, characterized by extensive use of wood. The open-plan layout allows the energetic three boys to roam freely, with the only spatial delineation being a central AV corner featuring a marble floor, subtly defining the space. The diagonal line of the wall rising up to the ceiling on the third floor guides the eye upward, imparting a strong verticality and depth. Natural light entering through slit-like skylights cascades down the sloped walls, passes through louvers on the third-floor floor, and illuminates the LDK space on the second floor.

To maintain privacy, no openings were placed on the road-facing side at the second-floor level. However, through meticulous layering of carefully chosen finishes, simple detailing, and subtle dimensional adjustments, the space was crafted to feel expansive and generous despite these constraints.