The site is located in the low-density residential area of INOKASHIRA, a suburb in Tokyo, nearby the INOKASHIRA park. The townscape was once open and leafy that extended seamlessly from the park, characterized by generous gardens facing south and hedgerows. However, in recent years it has been gradually disappearing due to residential subdivisions resulting in the increase of small lots, driven by rising land prices.This project aims to restore the original fascinating townscape of INOKASHIRA while also providing a comfortable residence.
Despite the site's constraints—a small flag-and-pole-shaped lot with a 40% building-to-land ratio, facing northeast, and surrounded by neighboring properties— the residence was designed to feel spacious and connected to the town.
The focus was on how to create open spaces and boundaries between the neighbors, considering the surrounding environment. The L-shaped volume, comprising 5 skipped floors, was positioned at the rear of the site to save ample open space on the eastern side.
The boundaries around the open space were deliberately designed to have indistinct presences, to create a unified landscape that seamlessly integrates the open spaces including neighboring properties. For example, only a 20cm-high masonry aligns on the southeastern neighbor's boundary, with their approval. The opposite boundary, offering views of the northeastern neighbor's garden from within the residence through its large opening.
Regarding the residence itself, 'Sankaku Common' consisting of 3 triangular areas—the roof terrace, dining room, and patio— plays a significant role. It is positioned between the volume and the open space to gradually separate the inner private zone from the surrounding environment. Simultaneously, it invites gentle shifts of the outside atmosphere and surroundings into the residence through its openings. This creates varieties of small spaces with diverse light environments and senses of connection to the town across the 5 skipped floors. The east elevation with the large opening is set at a 50-degree angle to the road, welcoming visitors while also preventing inadvertent eye contact with the northeastern neighbor.
In terms of environmental sustainability, a clerestory window and openings facing northeast capture stable natural light to provide ample brightness without artificial lighting during daylight hours year-round. The exterior walls were plastered with 100% natural materials, mainly volcanic ash.
One year after completion, a new collective garden has emerged in the open space along the boundary with the southeastern neighbor. As intended, the boundary design successfully enhances the unified landscape. It is expected that this unified landscape will be a step toward restoring the open and leafy townscape for future generations.
New plans are underway to utilize the open space for temporary markets or cafés to enhance community engagement and the INOKASHIRA’s townscape as well.
Inokashira Residence 2.0
Yoshiko Nakayama Architects and Associates
Silver

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Sergio Mannino
Founder
at Sergio Mannino Studio
This project seems to be overwelmin...
5
5
4
4
4.5

Amrita Mahindroo
Director
at DROO - Da Costa Mahindroo Architects
4
4
5
3
4

Nasim Köerting
Head of Design
at The Office Group (TOG)
5
5
5
5
5

Caro Lundin
Co-founder & Creative Director
at ARC Club
4
4
4
4
4

Waad El Hadidy
Design Director
at SH Hotels and Resorts/Starwood Capital Group
5
5
5
4
4.75

Esra Lemmens
Founder & Design Strategist
at Esra Lemmens Agency
5
5
5
5
5

Roel Slabbers
Interior Architect Co-Founder
at De Nieuwe Context
5
5
5
5
5

Shao Feng
Architectural Photographer
at SFAP
5
5
5
5
5

Anne-Laure Pingreoun
Founder
at Alter-Projects
Overwhelming stand design which doe...
4
4
5
4
4.25

Venelin Kokalov
Design Principal and Principal-in-Charge
at Revery Architecture
6
5
6
5
5.5

Kai LIU
Founder & Design Director
at RIGI design
5
5
5
5
5

Martijn Hoogendijk
owner / creative director / designer
at Martijn Hoogendijk
Is there a deeper meaning behind th...
5
4
7
2
4.5
Client
Yasunori Tanaka, Yoshiko Tanaka
Floor area
83 ㎡
Completion
2022
Construction
Structural Design
Kitchen
Furniture
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