'house F' strengthens neighborhood ties with shared greenery and open spaces in japan

Kamakura Studio’s residence in japan doubles as community hub

Kamakura Studio introduces House F, a home and office for an architect in Chiba, Japan, that doubles as a community hub. Situated in a rapidly evolving neighborhood, the residence introduces a flexible first-floor space where neighbors gather over coffee and films. At its core, a diagonal, south-facing void entwines lush greenery, reflecting the plant-sharing culture of the area. The facade of the residence shifts in perception—its north-facing elevation steps back toward the sky, where shared greenery flourishes, while the west-facing facade offers a distinct, ever-changing impression to passersby. House F proposes a model for sustainable urban communities where daily life extends beyond individual thresholds to nurture collective belonging.

all images by Kouji Fujii / Shinkenchiku-sha, courtesy of Kamakura Studio

a wood stove fills house f with warmth through vertical void

With adaptability in mind, the Japanese architects at Kamakura Studio designed the first-floor office to invite spontaneous visits, positioning the home as an accessible social space rather than an enclosed private retreat. 

The defining feature of House F is its vertical void, which connects all floors while channeling light and heat from a first-floor wood stove. This spatial conduit boosts warmth and airflow and serves as a visual and functional link between levels, uniting them. On the second floor, an open-plan living-dining kitchen (LDK) space extends onto a balcony laden with edible plants.

An atrium further bridges the second and third floors, culminating in a study space designed for children. Here, openness is prioritized, with abundant greenery and strategic sightlines encouraging interaction. Natural light filters through a reflective box, brightening interiors while extending a luminous presence onto the street. Privacy remains a crucial consideration, with spaces set back from the north-facing road, preserving tranquility.

House F combines a home and office for an architect in Chiba, Japan

the architects imagine a community-centered neighborhood 

The third-floor bedrooms, though compact, leverage borrowed views from adjacent spaces and outdoor terraces, cultivating a sense of expansiveness. A rooftop vantage point opens up to the urban fabric below, grounding the home in its surroundings.

With 75% of the neighborhood’s residents having relocated in the past decade, the project anticipates future demographic shifts, such as population decline and aging, aiming to counteract urban isolation. The architects envision a city where people actively shape their environment, ensuring its longevity through continuous community engagement. House F Kamakura Studio crafts an architectural framework that is both intimate and outward-facing, proving that community and domesticity can coexist in contemporary urban life.

the residence doubles as a community hub

a diagonal, south-facing void entwines lush greenery

reflecting the plant-sharing culture of the area

different shades of wood clad the interiors

shared greenery flourishes

the architects envision a city where people actively shape their environment

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privacy remains a crucial consideration

natural light filters through a reflective box

an atrium further bridges the second and third floors

a vertical void connects all floors while channeling light and heat

the facade of the residence shifts in perception

project info:

name: House F 

architect: Kamakura Studio | @kamakurastudio

location: Nagareyama, Chiba, Japan
area: 169 square meters

lead architects: Keisuke Fukui + Keisuke Morikawa

consultant: Toshiyuki Sukiyaki

photography: Kouji Fujii / Shinkenchiku-sha

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: thomai tsimpou | designboom