Yokohama Chigasakihigashi 住宅 by Kei Tamai

Yokohama Chigasakihigashi 住宅 by Kei Tamai is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award 金獎 in 建築、樓宇及結構設計 Competition Category.

金建築· 2025

Yokohama Chigasakihigashi 住宅

by Kei Tamai

Client: Skymission

A' Design Award 金獎 Winner in 建築 Category

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The Design

About Yokohama Chigasakihigashi 住宅

橫濱茅崎東係一間獨立住宅，設計旨喺將日常生活同天空連繫起嚟。房間同走廊圍繞住一個叫做「天空房」嘅中央庭院，由簡潔嘅白色空間構成。靈活嘅佈局令庭院可以成為焦點，亦可以同周圍嘅房間融合，支持多種生活方式。窗戶將柔和嘅自然光引入室內，減少對人工照明嘅需要。總樓面面積為129.17平方米。呢個設計重現咗日本傳統上與大自然嘅連繫。

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award 金獎

Yokohama Chigasakihigashi 住宅是 A' Design Award 金獎得主，這是授予一流、絕妙而傑出設計的極為崇高的認可。金獎得主是極具創新、極富遠見且璀璨奪目的創作，反映出其設計師的天才、智慧與才幹。預計Yokohama Chigasakihigashi 住宅將成為一項備受讚譽、引領潮流、氣勢恢宏的發明，帶來前所未有的價值。這件贏得 A' Design Award 金獎的設計是一個壯觀而受人敬重的項目，極大地造福並拓展藝術、科學、設計和技術的界限。Yokohama Chigasakihigashi 住宅激起強烈的渴望，喚起激情，鼓勵創造力，令我們著迷。

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