Yokohama Chigasakihigashi Inzu by Kei Tamai

Yokohama Chigasakihigashi Inzu by Kei Tamai is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Igihembo cya A' Design Award cya Zahabu in Igishushanyo cy'Ubwubatsi Competition Category.

ZahabuUbwubatsi· 2025

Yokohama Chigasakihigashi Inzu

by Kei Tamai

Client: Skymission

Igihembo cya A' Design Award cya Zahabu Winner in Ubwubatsi Category

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Colors

The Design

About Yokohama Chigasakihigashi Inzu

Yokohama Chigasakihigashi ni inzu yigenga yagenewe guhuza ubuzima bwa buri munsi n'ikirere. Ibyumba n'inzira zo mu nzu bikikije urugo rwo hagati, rwitwa icyumba cy'ikirere, rukikijwe n'imyanya yoroheje y'umweru. Imiterere ihindagurika ituma urwo rugo rwo hagati ruba ihuriro nyamukuru cyangwa rukifatanya n'ibyumba biruzengurutse, bigashyigikira uburyo butandukanye bwo kubaho. Amadirishya yinjiza urumuri karemano rworoheje imbere, bikagabanya ikoreshwa ry'amatara. Ubuso bwose bw'inzu ni metero kare 129.17. Iri gishushanyo rigarura isano gakondo y'Abayapani n'ibidukikije.

The Recognition

About the Igihembo cya A' Design Award cya Zahabu

Yokohama Chigasakihigashi Inzu ni uwegukanye Igihembo cya A' Design Award cya Zahabu, ishimwe ry'agaciro gakomeye ritangwa ku bishushanyo biri ku rwego rwa mbere, bitangaje kandi by'indashyikirwa. Abegukanye Zahabu ni ibihangano birimo udushya twinshi, bifite icyerekezo kandi bimurika, bigaragaza impano, ubwenge n'ubuhanga bw'ababihanze. Yokohama Chigasakihigashi Inzu biteganyijwe ko izaba igihangano gishimwa cyane, gishyiraho imigendekere mishya kandi gitanga agaciro katigeze kaboneka. Iki gishushanyo cyegukanye Zahabu ni umushinga utangaje kandi wubahwa ugura imbibi z'ubuhanzi, ubumenyi, ubushushanyo n'ikoranabuhanga. Yokohama Chigasakihigashi Inzu itera ibyifuzo bikomeye, ikangura ishyaka, ishishikariza guhanga kandi igatwara imitima yacu.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: This spec home focuses on living in harmony with the sky, designed by renowned architect Shin Takamatsu, an expert in traditional Japanese housing. Takamatsu believes that a home must have a deep relationship with the sky. The design includes a room extending toward the sky, surrounded by simple white spaces. This flexible layout allows the sky room to be the focal point or to blend with the surrounding spaces, offering various living styles that connect with the sky.
Dimensions & Packaging: Site area：165.01㎡　Building area：70.71㎡　Total floor area：129.17㎡
Tags: housing,japan,modern,architecture,Yokohama
Production Technology: Rooms and hallways surround a courtyard, seen as a "sky room." Residents can enjoy different lifestyles, such as centering their lives around the courtyard or combining the courtyard and surrounding spaces into one. A simple glance upward from any space reveals the sky. The courtyard connects seamlessly with the rooms, and the windows create soft natural light without needing artificial lighting. The skyline encourages passersby to look up and experience the sky as well.
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 2016, "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: Residents can move freely between the courtyard and surrounding spaces, enjoying different living styles, such as centering life around the "sky room" or combining the courtyard with surrounding areas. From any spot, a glance upward reveals the sky. Natural light and air create a comfortable environment without relying on energy. The changing scenery, bird songs, and clouds further enrich the emotional experience of the residents, deepening their connection to nature.
Team Members: architect: Shin Takamatsu
designer: Shin Takamatsu