House in Nishikamakura

This is a residential project located in a quiet neighborhood surrounded by the lush greenery of Nishi-Kamakura.
The site falls within Kamakura City’s designated Scenic District, subjecting it to strict local zoning regulations, including maximum building height limits, boundary setbacks, and mandatory greening quotas. Situated in an environment where houses sit atop high retaining walls, a primary design challenge was ensuring privacy from neighboring viewpoints.
Taking advantage of the site’s elevated position and the mandatory greenery surrounding adjacent properties, the design adopts a low-slung roofline. This profile screens external sightlines while seamlessly framing both the private garden and the broader surrounding landscape into a continuous visual experience.
The building features a square floor plan measuring 3.5×3.5 ken (approx. 6.37×6.37 m). The shed roof slopes upward toward the northern boundary—opening views where sightlines remain clear—and scales down toward the garden on the south. The ground floor consolidates the bedrooms, storage, and utility spaces, freeing the upper level for an expansive, open-plan LDK.
At the center of the second floor, a central core housing the restroom and built-in storage allows for fluid, looping circulation around the main living space, flexibly accommodating diverse daily routines from morning preparation to working from home. On the south facade, the staircase cantilevers outward by half a ken (approx. 0.91 m), eliminating dead space underneath while acting as a spatial buffer to fine-tune daylighting and privacy.
By carefully reading the surrounding context and reframing site constraints as unique opportunities, the architecture secures a rich sense of dwelling uniquely tied to its specific land.