junpei nousaku architects: small house in shinjuku

‘small house in shinjuku’ by junpei nousaku architects, shinjuku, tokyo, japan all images courtesy of junpei nousaku architects

japanese firm junpei nousaku architects have completed the ‘small house in shinjuku’, a single family dwelling in a high density district in tokyo, japan. the design opposes the commonly used techniques in urban residential areas to enclose the interiors with solid walls for privacy and to place bathrooms or parking on the ground level due to limited natural daylight. this structure places the living room side by side with the street, opening to its immediate surroundings with large windows. an atrium spanning the full height of the three-storey building forms an airy space, introducing natural daylight through a band of clerestory windows at the roofline.

steel beams traverse through the open void, serving as floor structure for future expansion. a stacked set of lofts contain additional rooms with an elevated prospect into the common areas. outward views to the high-rise buildings and passersby integrate again the human element.

(left) living area (right) ground level entry

atrium spans the full height of the three-storey structure

first floor loft

view from second floor loft

floor plan / level 0

floor plan / level 1

floor plan / level 2

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