Stilleness Viesu māja by Sohei Obata is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Bronzas balva A' Design Award in Arhitektūras, ēku un būvju dizains Competition Category.

BronzasArhitektūra· 2026

Stilleness Viesu māja

by Sohei Obata

Client: Advance Architect Co.,Ltd

Bronzas balva A' Design Award Winner in Arhitektūra Category

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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Stilleness Viesu māja

Stilleness ir trīsstāvu viesu māja, kas uzbūvēta uz ļoti neliela zemes gabala Osakas centrā, Japānā. Dzīvojamās telpas izvietotas augšējos stāvos, savukārt pirmajā stāvā atrodas garāža. Tradicionālie japāņu elementi ir pārinterpretēti, izmantojot fasādes flīzes, kas atgādina jumta dakstiņus, režģu darinājumus un centrālo pagalma dārzu. Goemon vanna un niša ir apvienotas ar mūsdienīgām ērtībām. Tērauda karkasa konstrukcija atbilst pilsētas ugunsdrošības un zemestrīču noturības prasībām. Pagalms ļauj zaļumus redzēt no katra stāva, tādējādi šaurais zemes gabals iegūst dziļuma un miera sajūtu.

The Recognition

About the Bronzas balva A' Design Award

Stilleness Viesu māja ir Bronzas balvas A' Design Award ieguvējs, ļoti prestiža atzinība, ko piešķir izciliem dizainiem, kas izceļas ar radošumu, atjautību un viedumu. Bronzas ieguvēji ir pietiekami prasmīgi un pārsteidzoši radoši darbi, kas apliecina to dizaineru plašo pieredzi, iztēli un izdarību. Sagaidāms, ka Stilleness Viesu māja būs augsti vērtēts, apbrīnots un cienīts priekšmets, ievērojami profesionāls un inovatīvs. Šis ar Bronzas balvu apbalvotais dizains iekļauj labāko praksi mākslā, zinātnē, dizainā un tehnoloģijās un izceļas ar uzmanību detaļām. Stilleness Viesu māja lieliski apmierina vajadzības, skar vēlmes, valdzina jūtas un piesaista zinātkāri.

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