House in Nakaoruimachi

This project is a wooden house built on a corner lot within a lush green urbanization control area, where two roads intersect. Because it was anticipated that developing the land—including farmland conversion, obtaining development permits, and installing a septic tank—would be a challenging and time-consuming process before a residence could be built, the house was designed as a compact L-shaped plan with a total floor area of under 100 square meters. As a response to the clients’ wish to achieve a rich lifestyle within a compact footprint, the design explores the idea of “architecture as furniture.” At the boundary between the entrance and the living-dining-kitchen, as well as between the children’s room and the corridor, shelving units were used instead of plain walls, integrating partitions with storage. In the living room, a level difference and a low shelf along the window serve multiple functions—as storage, a TV stand, or even a bench where one can sit and enjoy the view on sunny days. The project grew from the idea that spaces become richer when they allow room to imagine and experiment with different ways of living day to day.