Yokohama Aoba Habitation by Shin Takamatsu and Kei Tamai

Yokohama Aoba Habitation by Shin Takamatsu and Kei Tamai is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award d'Argent in Design d'Architecture, Bâtiment et Structure Competition Category.

ArgentArchitecture· 2025

Yokohama Aoba Habitation

by Shin Takamatsu and Kei Tamai

Client: Sky Mission

A' Design Award d'Argent Winner in Architecture Category

22,468
Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #164197

Visit Site View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Yokohama Aoba Habitation

Yokohama Aoba est une maison conçue pour réintroduire la nature dans la vie urbaine. La demeure s'élève sur une parcelle pentagonale et s'organise autour d'une cour centrale qui relie toutes les pièces et ouvre l'intérieur sur le ciel. Deux escaliers prennent naissance à l'entrée et les pièces se déploient en éventail autour de la cour, tandis qu'un passage étroit relie les ailes à l'arrière. La circulation dessine une double boucle continue : chaque pièce dispose ainsi de son propre itinéraire et les habitants peuvent se déplacer sans se croiser. La lumière naturelle et l'air traversent librement la maison, réduisant la consommation d'énergie.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award d'Argent

Yokohama Aoba Habitation est lauréat de l'A' Design Award d'Argent, une reconnaissance énormément prestigieuse décernée à des designs haut de gamme, superbes et impressionnants. Les lauréats Argent sont des œuvres tout à fait brillantes et extrêmement créatives qui illustrent l'expertise, le talent et la perspicacité remarquables de leurs concepteurs. Yokohama Aoba Habitation est censé être une œuvre merveilleuse, une vitrine de savoir-faire, remarquablement professionnelle et profondément innovante. Ce design lauréat de l'A' Design Award d'Argent est une invention très notable et admirée, qui sert l'art, la science, le design et la technologie et en repousse les limites. Yokohama Aoba Habitation est une création très enviée qui éveille les désirs, apporte des sentiments positifs et suscite émerveillement et étonnement.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: This project creates a home that integrates nature into urban living. Designed by renowned architect Shin Takamatsu, the focus is on living harmoniously with the sky. The pentagonal plot features a central courtyard that connects all rooms, allowing residents to feel linked to the sky. A "double Möbius strip" design, with a staircase and hallway, creates a loop, offering flexibility for family activities. This design supports diverse scenarios, adapting to the changing needs of the residents.
Dimensions & Packaging: Site area：204.05㎡　Building area：90.56㎡　Total floor area：163.77㎡
Tags: housing,japan,modern,architecture,Tokyo
Production Technology: Upon entering the house, two stairways immediately start, with rooms fanning out around the central courtyard. A narrow passage connects the wings at the back. Most rooms face the courtyard, allowing the sky to fill every corner. The double Möbius strip circulation and courtyard create various pathways, fostering family connections and making the space feel larger. Each room has its own path, ensuring safety during pandemics. The wings are angled at 40 degrees, enhancing the sense of space.
Design Challenge: In the suburbs of major cities, small-scale developments for mass markets dominate, leading to declining living environments. Our company resists this trend by maintaining developments at their current scale to preserve quality. For properties priced over 100 million yen, delivering value is crucial, and working with renowned architects is one approach. While spec homes make achieving ideal designs easier, strict budget constraints create constant challenges between cost and design.
Research: Traditional Japanese homes, like Kyoto's machiya, were designed to bring natural elements such as light and air into daily life, even in densely built cities. These homes had a garden at their center, creating comfort, respect for nature, and a unique aesthetic. Modern homes, however, prioritize performance and have become isolated from nature, heavily relying on energy. Now is the time to revive the traditional Japanese lifestyle, reducing energy use and reconnecting with nature.
Inspiration: In the suburbs of major cities, cramped living with close neighbors is unavoidable. Modern homes prioritize energy efficiency, insulation, and privacy, resulting in inward living spaces where people often keep curtains shut to avoid outside views. Traditionally, Japanese homes embraced nature, harmonizing with the climate and reflecting a deep connection to the environment. This project aims to restore those lost values and reconnect modern living with nature.
Project Duration: "The collaboration between architect Shin Takamatsu and Principal Home began in 2014. We discussed the direction of the project for over a year and a half, and entered the design phase in 2015.
In 2017, ""AROUND THE SKY"" was completed and received the Good Design Award. Later, in 2017, ""WITH THE SKY"" was finished, followed by the construction of ""ALONG THE SKY."" This year, the construction of two ""IN THE SKY"" buildings has also been completed."
Operation Flow: The house offers various living styles, such as centering life around the courtyard or integrating all rooms into one large space. The double Möbius strip circulation path allows for endless movement, adapting to different family activities and enriching life. Each room has its own path, so family members can live without crossing paths, especially helpful during pandemics. Natural light and air flow through the home, reducing energy dependence and making urban living more comfortable.
Team Members: designer:Shin Takamatsu