Black Monolithic Wall Casa Residenciala by Nobuaki Miyashita

Black Monolithic Wall Casa Residenciala by Nobuaki Miyashita is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2024 A' Design Award d'Argent in Arquitectura Competition Category.

ArgentArquitectura· 2024

Black Monolithic Wall Casa Residenciala

by Nobuaki Miyashita

Client: MR Studio Co., Ltd.

A' Design Award d'Argent Winner in Arquitectura Category

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The Design

About Black Monolithic Wall Casa Residenciala

Aquesta residéncia negra esculturala foguèt concebuda dins un quartièr residencial tranquil de Toquio. Lo terren es estrech a l'entrada e s'alongue vèrs lo fons, formant una forma esvelta. Tot en respectant las reglamentacions arquitecturalas japonesas, talas coma la reglamentacion de las ombras suls terrens vesinaus e las restriccions d'auçada dels edificis, la concepcion visa crear espacis dinamics que valorizan aquesta forma esvelta del terren. L'acòs presenta un mur negre monolitic integrat a l'arquitectura, rendant l'aparéncia exteriora impressionanta, mentre que las escalièrs en voladís que menan a l'entrada enriquisson la sequéncia.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award d'Argent

Black Monolithic Wall Casa Residenciala a ganhat la distincion A' Design Award d'Argent, una reconeissença extraordinàriament prestigiosa acordada a de designs d'ort de gamma, esplendids e impressionants. Los ganhaires de l'Argent son d'òbras terriblament brilhantas e extrèmament creativas que illustran l'experiéncia, lo talent e la finessa excepcionals de lors designers. S'espèra que Black Monolithic Wall Casa Residenciala siá una òbra meravilhosa e de referéncia, notablament professionala e prigondament innovanta. Aqueste design ganhaire de la distincion A' Design Award d'Argent es una invencion fòrça notabla e admirada, que fa un ben e fa avançar las frontièras de l'art, de la sciéncia, del design e de la tecnologia. Black Monolithic Wall Casa Residenciala es una creacion immensament envejada que desrevelha de desirs, aduch de sentiments positius e fa néisser l'estonament e l'esmaiment.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: This is a custom house plan for a parent and their child. Although the site is located relatively close to central Tokyo, its neighbor is a quiet residential area. It is an extremely narrow flag lot with no more than two meters wide portion fronting the road. Our aim was to create a dynamic space which can only be formed on a site with unique characteristics like this as well as to meet the strict building regulations in Japan.
Dimensions & Packaging: Site area: 84.39 m2
Building area: 48.82 m2
Total floor area: 114.60 m2
Number of floors: Ground 3 floors
1st floor: 50.47 m2
2nd floor: 50.38 m2
3rd floor: 28.56 m2
Height: Maximum height 9.38 m
Structure: wooden
Tags: House, Residence, wooden, Japan, Tokyo
Production Technology: The residential space is consisted of three layers. In order to provide a maximum volume of interior space while meeting the building height regulation, half of the first floor height is buried below ground level. The second floor is planned to be used as guest rooms, part of the public space. The void in the center runs through the second floor to the dining area on the third floor.
Design Challenge: In the typical design, disadvantaged by a narrow and elongated approach space, we were able to create a rich experience that entices visitors deeper into the property through a three-dimensional composition centered around an architectural boundary wall, 3 meters in height, integrated with the main residential volume in a sculptural form. This approach has successfully materialized an engaging journey for visitors.
Research: Research Objective: To maximize living space while clearing the strict height restrictions (sunlight regulation) on the north side of the site, the first floor is partially buried underground. Method: The underground portion is constructed with a concrete framework and undergoes special waterproofing treatment. Results: It was possible to ensure sufficient ceiling height on each floor. The dining room has a height of 3600 mm, and the bedrooms also maintain a height of 2900 mm.
Inspiration: First, to leverage the long, flagpole-shaped layout of the site, we envisioned the approach space as a sculptural design integrated with the architecture. Along the site boundary, we inserted a single boundary wall and designed it to incorporate elements such as stairs, a meter box, a mailbox, and lighting. This boundary wall will lead visitors to the second-floor entrance, providing a rich spatial experience along the way.
Project Duration: This project was completed in September 2020. The site is situated in a quiet residential area of Tokyo, yet it features an extremely dense layout of buildings. The conditions for access to the main road are strict, with only a mere 2 meters of frontage, resulting in a very narrow and elongated shape of the plot. The rear of the property is slightly wider, forming a typical flagpole-shaped site that resulted from land division.
Operation Flow: The first floor is a semi-basement, comprising a private space that includes the master bedroom, studio, and bathroom. In the bathroom, there is a jetted bathtub facing the tsubo-niwa, a small Japanese-style courtyard garden, with sunlight gently pouring in through the window. An overhead shower head, the width of one's shoulders, provides a relaxing bathing experience. The tsubo-niwa also serves as a light well, allowing wind and light to permeate each floor, creating a comfortable living environment.
Patents: none
Image Credits: Image #1-#5: Photographer Nobuaki Miyashita, Variations, 2021