Fuma Vivienda by Masakatsu Matsuyama is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award de Platino in Diseño de Arquitectura, Edificación y Estructuras Competition Category.

PlatinoArquitectura· 2025

Fuma Vivienda

by Masakatsu Matsuyama

Client: Matsuyama Architect and Associates

A' Design Award de Platino Winner in Arquitectura Category

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The Design

About Fuma Vivienda

Fuma es una casa de tres plantas ubicada en la prefectura de Fukuoka, Japón. El solar da al este a una línea ferroviaria muy transitada, por lo que el muro este de la planta baja se retranquea, mientras que la estructura de la segunda planta y el alero de la tercera bloquean el ruido, las vibraciones y las vistas hacia la calle. Los espacios libres entre estos elementos permiten que la luz natural y el ambiente exterior lleguen al interior. La zona principal de estar se sitúa en la segunda planta y funciona como una vivienda de una sola altura. Muros de carga de hormigón armado y cables no adherentes soportan voladizos de 5,6 metros hacia el este y 3,2 metros hacia el sur. Amplias aberturas acristaladas se orientan hacia el patio.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award de Platino

Fuma Vivienda ha ganado el A' Design Award de Platino, un reconocimiento sumamente prestigioso concedido a diseños verdaderamente excepcionales, elegantes y magníficos. Los ganadores de Platino son maravillas de la creación, testimonios de los límites de la creatividad intelectual, y demuestran el profesionalismo y el genio inigualables de sus diseñadores. Se espera que estos diseños sean las obras más renombradas, que definen la estética de una época, contribuyen al bienestar de la sociedad y amplían las fronteras del arte, la ciencia, el diseño y la tecnología. Fuma Vivienda exhibe un nivel trascendente de excelencia y, sin lugar a dudas, hace del mundo un lugar mejor con sus características ventajosas y valiosas. Fuma Vivienda es una obra ganadora del A' Design Award de Platino que despierta deseos, inspira, entusiasma, deleita y provoca una gran alegría.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: The living dining room on the second floor connects to the third-floor theater room via a double-height space. An east-west axis from the first-floor courtyard to the third-floor terrace is connected sectionally, while a north-south axis from the second-floor terrace at the south to the stairwell at the north is integrated into the plan. This interaction between internal and external spaces creates diverse indoor environments. The client's determination to live this area even under these unlivable environments form this architecture which allow to live such open, unusual and tranquil living.
Dimensions & Packaging: Three-story reinforced concrete structure
Site area: 510.86 square meters
Total floor area: 464.76 square meters
First floor area: 130.70 square meters
Second floor area: 238.40 square meters
Third floor area: 95.66 square meters
Tags: concrete, cantilever, atrium, planting, massive, open, modern, luxury, like a resort hotel, without curtains
Production Technology: The east facade’s first-floor wall was set back from the railway, with complex-profile second floor structures and third-floor eaves blocking noise, vibration, and street views. Gaps between these structures allow natural light and external ambiance into the internal space. Large glazed openings face the courtyard, extending the interior space towards the semi-open external area.
Design Challenge: We designed a three-story building with the primary living space on the second floor, where most essential activities could be completed as if it were a single-story dwelling. To support the large second-floor volume, we introduced series of two and three-story high load-bearing walls and applied two unbonded PC cables along the east-west axis to enable a cantilevered structure extending 5.6m east and 3.2m south. The symbolic U-shaped wall also assists the southern cantilever.
Research: We prioritize interpreting the potential of the land, guiding unique architectural forms and family lives that can only exist in that specific location. Each project involves different land, clients, and conditions, resulting in diverse solutions. In this case, while addressing various harsh environmental factors, we aimed to create an open and enriching living space, leading to a one-of-a-kind architecture that would not be possible in other locations or under different circumstances.
Inspiration: The site is in a once-flourishing town during Japan's modernization era, now seemingly deserted. To the east, a busy railway with about 250 trains daily causes constant noise. North of the site, the drinking quarter makes it less than ideal for residential use. Additionally, memories of severe flood damage linger in the minds of long-time residents. Our challenge was to create a rigid structure to address these negative factors and design a comfortable living environment.
Project Duration: Design duration: June 2021 – August 2022 (15 months)
Construction duration: September 2022 – January 2024 (17 months)
Location: Fukuoka Prefecture – Japan
Operation Flow: The homeowner begins each morning on the terrace table with coffee instead of at the dining table. On sunny days, they open the parasol and enjoy the gentle breeze among the plants, signaling the start of the day. Despite nearby trains, they feel no noise or vibrations, enjoying a wonderfully comfortable life. After sunset, they continue their open lifestyle, never closing the curtains. The children fully utilize the layout, running freely indoors and sharing joyful smiles across the atrium.
Image Credits: Image #1: Photographer Toshihisa Ishii, FU-MA, 2024
Image #2: Photographer Toshihisa Ishii, FU-MA, 2024
Image #3: Photographer Toshihisa Ishii, FU-MA, 2024
Image #4: Photographer Toshihisa Ishii, FU-MA, 2024
Image #5: Photographer Toshihisa Ishii, FU-MA, 2024