Yokohama Aoba Makazi by Shin Takamatsu and Kei Tamai

Yokohama Aoba Makazi by Shin Takamatsu and Kei Tamai is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Tuzo ya Fedha ya A' Design Award in Usanifu wa Majengo, Ujenzi na Miundo Competition Category.

FedhaUsanifu wa Majengo· 2025

Yokohama Aoba Makazi

by Shin Takamatsu and Kei Tamai

Client: Sky Mission

Tuzo ya Fedha ya A' Design Award Winner in Usanifu wa Majengo Category

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The Design

About Yokohama Aoba Makazi

Yokohama Aoba ni nyumba iliyobuniwa kurudisha asili katika maisha ya mjini. Nyumba hii imesimama kwenye kiwanja chenye umbo la pembetano na imepangwa kuzunguka ua wa kati unaounganisha vyumba vyote na kufungua sehemu ya ndani kuelekea angani. Ngazi mbili zinaanzia kwenye mlango wa kuingilia, na vyumba vimetandazwa kuzunguka ua huo, huku njia nyembamba ikiunganisha mabawa ya nyumba upande wa nyuma. Mfumo wa mizunguko unaunda mzunguko wa mara mbili usiokatika, hivyo kila chumba kina njia yake mwenyewe na wakazi wanaweza kutembea bila kukutana njiani. Mwanga wa asili na hewa hupita ndani ya nyumba nzima, na hivyo kupunguza matumizi ya nishati.

The Recognition

About the Tuzo ya Fedha ya A' Design Award

Yokohama Aoba Makazi ni mshindi wa Tuzo ya Fedha ya A' Design Award, utambuzi wenye heshima kubwa ya ajabu unaotolewa kwa miundo ya hali ya juu kabisa, ya kupendeza na ya kuvutia. Washindi wa Fedha ni kazi zinazong'aa mno na bunifu kupita kiasi zinazoonyesha utaalamu bora, kipaji na busara ya wabunifu wao. Yokohama Aoba Makazi inatarajiwa kuwa kazi nzuri ya kuigwa ambayo ni ya kitaalamu kwa kiasi kikubwa na yenye ubunifu wa kina. Muundo huu ulioshinda Tuzo ya Fedha ya A' Design Award ni uvumbuzi unaojulikana sana na kupendwa, unaonufaisha na kupanua mipaka ya sanaa, sayansi, usanifu na teknolojia. Yokohama Aoba Makazi ni kazi inayotamaniwa mno inayochochea hamu, huleta hisia chanya na huzua mshangao na mastaajabu.

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