Stilleness Gästehaus by Sohei Obata is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award in Bronze in Architektur-, Gebäude- und Bauwerksdesign Competition Category.

BronzeArchitektur· 2026

Stilleness Gästehaus

by Sohei Obata

Client: Advance Architect Co.,Ltd

A' Design Award in Bronze Winner in Architektur Category

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Verified Award Winner
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The Design

About Stilleness Gästehaus

Stilleness ist ein dreigeschossiges Gästehaus, das auf einem sehr kleinen Grundstück im Zentrum von Osaka, Japan, errichtet wurde. Die Wohnbereiche befinden sich in den oberen Geschossen, während das Erdgeschoss eine Garage aufnimmt. Traditionelle japanische Elemente werden neu interpretiert – durch Fassadenfliesen, die an Dachziegel erinnern, durch Gitterwerk und durch einen zentralen Innenhofgarten. Ein Goemon-Bad und eine Nische (Tokonoma) werden mit moderner Ausstattung kombiniert. Die Stahlrahmenkonstruktion erfüllt die städtischen Anforderungen an Brand- und Erdbebenschutz. Der Innenhof lässt das Grün von jeder Etage aus sichtbar werden, sodass das schmale Grundstück an Tiefe und Ruhe gewinnt.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award in Bronze

Stilleness Gästehaus ist Gewinner des A' Design Award in Bronze, einer hochprestigeträchtigen Anerkennung für herausragende Designs, die sich durch Kreativität, Einfallsreichtum und Scharfsinn auszeichnen. Bronze-Gewinner sind reichlich geschickte und auffallend kreative Artefakte, die die große Erfahrung, Fantasie und Findigkeit ihrer Designer belegen. Von Stilleness Gästehaus wird erwartet, dass es ein hochgeschätztes, bewundertes und geliebtes Objekt ist, das bemerkenswert professionell und innovativ ist. Dieses mit dem A' Design Award in Bronze prämierte Design verkörpert bewährte Verfahren in Kunst, Wissenschaft, Design und Technologie und ist hervorragend in seiner Liebe zum Detail. Stilleness Gästehaus befriedigt Bedürfnisse auf großartige Weise, berührt Wünsche, bezaubert Gefühle und spricht die Neugier an.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: This three-story guesthouse makes the most of the limited space in the city center. Based on the theme of "tranquility in a modern city," it incorporates reinterpretations of traditional Japanese designs, such as exterior tiles resembling roof tiles, latticework, and a courtyard garden. More than just accommodation, it offers a unique and profound sense of spiritual fulfillment by blending ancient Japanese lifestyle culture, such as a Goemon bath and an alcove, with modern design.
Dimensions & Packaging: Site area: 76.55 Size: 135.71 Structure: Steel Floor: 3 While employing a steel frame construction that meets urban fire and earthquake resistance standards, the design incorporates traditional materials reproduced with modern technology in the form of roof tiles on the exterior walls. By optimizing the plumbing within the limited area and achieving a sophisticated spatial layout that balances views of the courtyard with privacy, a comfortable stay is ensured.
Tags: Guest House, Residence, Architecture
Production Technology: Despite the limited plot size, the design emphasizes "visual expansion." The space is structured around the landscaping of the courtyard, ensuring that greenery can be felt from every floor. The pathway from the small courtyard to the entrance hall with its alcove recreates the experience of a "roji" (alleyway) leading to a tea room. In addition to functionality, delicate textures are added with lattices and tiles, creating a balanced combination of hard and soft elements.
Design Challenge: The challenge was to pack a courtyard and authentic Japanese design elements into a limited, extremely small plot of land while ensuring functionality to accommodate a large number of guests. Within the constraints of legal regulations and structural limitations, we struggled to transform the "narrowness" into the Japanese aesthetic of "depth." The most difficult and creative process was considering the details to harmonize the traditional Goemon bath and courtyard with modern facilities.
Research: This project focuses on the research theme of "preserving tradition in small-scale urban architecture." Through the behavior and reactions of guests (especially foreigners), we will examine the healing effect of Japanese spatial beauty on today's stressful society. This design demonstrates that even in urban areas lacking historical resources, ingenuity in design can create a hub for cultural dissemination, presenting a new model for regional economic revitalization and cultural preservation.
Inspiration: The motivation was "spiritual immersion amidst the hustle and bustle." We wanted to create a sophisticated, otherworldly space where visitors could enjoy the conveniences of the city while stepping inside and experiencing the Japanese aesthetic of "wabi-sabi." We aimed to help busy modern travelers understand Japanese life on a visceral level by allowing them to experience the unique senses of "shadow" and "space" characteristic of Japanese architecture through the use of materials and lighting.
Project Duration: The project was completed in Osaka, Japan in March 2026
Operation Flow: The first floor is primarily used as a garage. Living spaces are located on the second floor and above, with rooms arranged in a continuous flow. Wide passageways are provided between each building to allow large vehicles to move around the property, and terraces are provided for residents to gather and foster a sense of community. High walls and a heavy gate surround the perimeter to enhance security.
Patents: Copyrights
Image Credits: Yu Kato, Way Co.,Ltd