niko design studio stacks multi-unit isana house in tokyo

‘isana’ is a row house which combines a 70 square meter dwelling, occupied by the property owner, with multiple rental units of 25-30 square meters each. the project, completed by architecture office niko design studio, is located in musashino city, tokyo, and follows the destruction of the 2011 tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. the dwellings are configured in two and three storey buildings organized around a central courtyard and tree, while other vegetation extends onto the site from the north which strengthens the aim for creating, ‘a little house in the woods.’

the floor slabs extend beyond the building volume to provide outdoor decks
image by taketo nishikubo

the mixture of rental units with the new dwelling is based on the client’s desires to observe customs of his home country, india. the client expresses appreciation for the shared nature of the property, despite the transfer of noise between floors (due to wood construction type) and reduced privacy. the architects describe that he, ‘feel[s] alive and secure to hear some sounds and feel neighbors’ presence in the same house. it is also a nice surprise for him to see various people wandering into the courtyard everyday.’

images by taketo nishikubo

the owner’s dwelling
image by masaya yoshimura

the space opens onto terraces toward the courtyard and in the back
image by masaya yoshimura

an upper level space in the owner’s unit
images by masaya yoshimura

the units are densely configured to provide maximum spatial and functional diversity
image by masaya yoshimura

an upper level rental unit
image by masaya yoshimura

the courtyard is shared by the various inhabitants
image by taketo nishikubo

trees in the courtyard and lining the driveway produce the feeling of being near the woods
image by taketo nishikubo

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project info:

location: musashino-city, tokyo, japan
date of completion: 2011
structure: wood + reinforced concrete
site area: 170.64 sqm
total floor area: 217.28 sqm (86.27sqm/1f, 84.22sqm/2f, 46.79sqm/3f)
architecture: taketo nishikubo / niko design studio
structural engineering: akira suzuki / a.s. associates
photography: masaya yoshimura, taketo nishikubo

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