Shin Takamatsu and Kei Tamai · CLIENT: Skymission
Yokohama Tsuzuki is a detached house built in a densely populated urban area in Japan. The plan is organized around a central courtyard, kept as large as local regulations allow. All rooms face the courtyard, so the interior reads as one connected space. The sky stays visible from every room, marking the change of seasons indoors. The layout is flexible and can be adapted as family needs change. The site area is 213.98 square meters and the total floor area is 160.02 square meters. The design follows traditional Japanese houses, which brought light and air into daily life.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- This project, designed by renowned architect, seeks to create a home where one can live in harmony with nature, even in densely populated cities. Inspired by traditional Japanese homes, architect redefines modern living through a deep connection to the sky. At the heart of the design is a large central courtyard, connecting every room and creating a unified space. No matter where one is, the sky is ever-present, offering a sense of being embraced by the open air.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Site area 213.98 square meter Building area 85.29 square meter Total floor area 160.02 square meter
- Tags
- housing,japan,modern,architecture,Tokyo
- Production Technology
- The house is centered around a courtyard, as large as legally allowed, with all rooms surrounding it, forming a one-room space. The sky fills every corner, creating a living space always connected to it. From every room, the sky reflects seasonal changes, enriching the sense of time indoors. The courtyard enhances spaciousness and flow, adding vitality and relaxation to life. This flexible layout adapts to the residents' needs, embracing changes in family life as they grow.
- 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.
- Project Duration
- The collaboration between architect and principal home began in 2014. The first few years were devoted to discussions on project direction. In 2016, a clear vision was established, and design work began. In 2017, they completed "around the sky," which received the good design award. Following that, they built "with the sky" and "along the sky." This year, the construction of two buildings named "in the sky" was completed.
- Operation Flow
- The sky fills every corner of the house, creating a living space that is always connected to it. From the rooms, the sky reflects the seasonal changes, bringing a rich sense of time into the home. The courtyard creates a sense of openness and flow, greater than its physical size, fostering a life filled with relaxation and energy. This generous layout is flexible, able to accommodate the evolving nature of the family, growing and changing along with them over time.
- 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
- Living close to neighboring houses is inevitable around major cities. Modern homes focus mainly on insulation, airtightness, and energy efficiency. People close their curtains to avoid the view from roads and nearby houses. In contrast, traditional Japanese homes embraced nature and the local climate, harmonizing with their surroundings and reflecting the lifestyle of the residents. It’s essential to restore these important values, which are gradually being lost in today’s modern living.
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