alphaville’s slice of the city offers privacy within a densely populated neighborhood
all images by toshiyuki yano

 

 

 

in nishinomiya, a japanese city located between osaka and kobe, alphaville architects has designed a white cuboid dwelling that shields itself from the prying eyes of adjacent properties. named ‘slice of the city’, the house sits within a dense residential neighborhood where buildings are positioned in close proximity to one another.

alphaville slice of the city house hyogo japan designboom
the white cuboid dwelling shields itself from prying eyes

 

 

 

to ensure a sense of privacy, the architects made a long, narrow void by dividing the scheme into two separate structures. as the void is oriented in an east-west direction, light and air are able to enter via the south elevation. rooms are linked via a bridge-shaped staircase, slightly shifted so as not to intersect the open space. this circulation route culminates in a sheltered roof terrace that provides views across the neighborhood.

alphaville slice of the city house hyogo japan designboom
the entrance to the two storey property

alphaville slice of the city house hyogo japan designboom
a long narrow void divides the scheme into two separate buildings

alphaville slice of the city house hyogo japan designboom
 light and air are able to enter via the south elevation

alphaville slice of the city house hyogo japan designboom
the brightly illuminated kitchen

alphaville slice of the city house hyogo japan designboom
rooms are linked via a bridge-shaped staircase

alphaville slice of the city house hyogo japan designboom
brilliant white walls reflect natural daylight

alphaville slice of the city house hyogo japan designboom
the circulation route culminates in a sheltered roof terrace

alphaville slice of the city house hyogo japan designboom
views are offered across the neighborhood

alphaville slice of the city house hyogo japan designboom
the house sits within a dense residential neighborhood

 

 

project info:

 

name: slice of the city
site: hyogo, japan
site area: 75.15 sqm
building area: 50.46 sqm
total floor area: 95.96 sqm
scale: 2 storeys
structure system: wood
structural engineer: chiro hashimoto (s3 associates inc.)
photography: toshiyuki yano