Fuma 住宅 by Masakatsu Matsuyama is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award 白金獎 in 建築、樓宇及結構設計 Competition Category.

白金建築· 2025

Fuma 住宅

by Masakatsu Matsuyama

Client: Matsuyama Architect and Associates

A' Design Award 白金獎 Winner in 建築 Category

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The Design

About Fuma 住宅

Fuma係一座位於日本福岡縣嘅三層住宅。基地東面朝住繁忙嘅鐵路，所以一樓東面外牆向後退縮，而二樓結構同三樓屋簷就阻隔噪音、震動同街景。呢啲構件之間嘅空隙令自然光同外面嘅氛圍可以滲入室內。主要生活空間設喺二樓，運作起嚟就好似單層住宅一樣。鋼筋混凝土承重牆同無黏結鋼纜支撐住東面5.6米同南面3.2米嘅懸臂結構。大面積玻璃開口朝向庭院。

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award 白金獎

Fuma 住宅是 A' Design Award 白金獎得主，這是授予真正卓越、優雅和宏偉設計的極具聲望的認可。白金獎得主是創造的奇蹟，是智力創造力極限的見證，展現出其設計師無與倫比的專業精神和天才。這些設計被期待成為定義一個時代的美學、造福社會、並拓展藝術、科學、設計和技術界限的最負盛名的作品。Fuma 住宅展現出超凡脫俗的卓越水準，以其有益而寶貴的特質毫無疑問地讓世界變得更美好。Fuma 住宅是一件贏得 A' Design Award 白金獎的作品，它喚起慾望，啟發人心，令人愉悅，並迸發出巨大的喜悅。

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: The living dining room on the second floor connects to the third-floor theater room via a double-height space. An east-west axis from the first-floor courtyard to the third-floor terrace is connected sectionally, while a north-south axis from the second-floor terrace at the south to the stairwell at the north is integrated into the plan. This interaction between internal and external spaces creates diverse indoor environments. The client's determination to live this area even under these unlivable environments form this architecture which allow to live such open, unusual and tranquil living.
Dimensions & Packaging: Three-story reinforced concrete structure
Site area: 510.86 square meters
Total floor area: 464.76 square meters
First floor area: 130.70 square meters
Second floor area: 238.40 square meters
Third floor area: 95.66 square meters
Tags: concrete, cantilever, atrium, planting, massive, open, modern, luxury, like a resort hotel, without curtains
Production Technology: The east facade’s first-floor wall was set back from the railway, with complex-profile second floor structures and third-floor eaves blocking noise, vibration, and street views. Gaps between these structures allow natural light and external ambiance into the internal space. Large glazed openings face the courtyard, extending the interior space towards the semi-open external area.
Design Challenge: We designed a three-story building with the primary living space on the second floor, where most essential activities could be completed as if it were a single-story dwelling. To support the large second-floor volume, we introduced series of two and three-story high load-bearing walls and applied two unbonded PC cables along the east-west axis to enable a cantilevered structure extending 5.6m east and 3.2m south. The symbolic U-shaped wall also assists the southern cantilever.
Research: We prioritize interpreting the potential of the land, guiding unique architectural forms and family lives that can only exist in that specific location. Each project involves different land, clients, and conditions, resulting in diverse solutions. In this case, while addressing various harsh environmental factors, we aimed to create an open and enriching living space, leading to a one-of-a-kind architecture that would not be possible in other locations or under different circumstances.
Inspiration: The site is in a once-flourishing town during Japan's modernization era, now seemingly deserted. To the east, a busy railway with about 250 trains daily causes constant noise. North of the site, the drinking quarter makes it less than ideal for residential use. Additionally, memories of severe flood damage linger in the minds of long-time residents. Our challenge was to create a rigid structure to address these negative factors and design a comfortable living environment.
Project Duration: Design duration: June 2021 – August 2022 (15 months)
Construction duration: September 2022 – January 2024 (17 months)
Location: Fukuoka Prefecture – Japan
Operation Flow: The homeowner begins each morning on the terrace table with coffee instead of at the dining table. On sunny days, they open the parasol and enjoy the gentle breeze among the plants, signaling the start of the day. Despite nearby trains, they feel no noise or vibrations, enjoying a wonderfully comfortable life. After sunset, they continue their open lifestyle, never closing the curtains. The children fully utilize the layout, running freely indoors and sharing joyful smiles across the atrium.
Image Credits: Image #1: Photographer Toshihisa Ishii, FU-MA, 2024
Image #2: Photographer Toshihisa Ishii, FU-MA, 2024
Image #3: Photographer Toshihisa Ishii, FU-MA, 2024
Image #4: Photographer Toshihisa Ishii, FU-MA, 2024
Image #5: Photographer Toshihisa Ishii, FU-MA, 2024