buildinglandscape: STEPS

‘STEPS’ by buildinglandscape in tokyo, japan all images courtesy ryota atarashi and buildinglandscape

‘STEPS’ by architecture practice buildinglandscape is a multi-storey apartment building on the side of an elevated road in tokyo, japan. in order to compose a compact residential project that maintains views of the valleys in the distant, the design creates ‘micro-landscapes’ within the living spaces by integrating a series of stepped stages around the windows.

street view

aiming to shield the interior from the distracting elements of the highway, the design resulted in a tall volume that still worked within the local regulations of the area. a wedge-shaped plan was extruded and slightly shifted in accordance to each floor, securing sunlight and views for all units. the resulting exterior expression has a sense of movement that can be read from the street, lending a distinct identity to the structure.

views of the shifting facade

by closely arranging the units around the elevator and stair core, the design efficiently utilizes its space and cuts down on hallways. the layouts of the apartments remain largely open and free of wall-partitions, facilitating an expansive sense of space. in addition to offering a higher vantage point, the stepped differences in floor-heights create a clear distinction between programs and zones. a series of fanning roof-top terraces repeats this tiered language.

view from the exterior staircase