ON design partners: House in Nezu

With the creation of two solid volumes, containing respectively the staircase and rooms, and a void that extends throughout the volume's full height, the Japanese practice has overcome site constraints creating a bright and dynamic single family house.

Japanese architecture practice ON design partners has recently completed a single-family house in the district of Nezu, within the residential ward of Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo. The unusual three-storey building occupies a site of 9 square metres, wedged in between two slightly lower buildings.

The design has immediately faced the complex site constraints, with the idea of two solid volumes, interconnected but independent. Stuck in the middle of the existing buildings and separated by a void extended throughout the building's full height, these two volumes contain respectively the staircase and rooms. Through a series of cross bridges and openings it was possible to fill the interiors with daylight, making the paths particularly dynamic, despite the limited dimensions.

The wooden frame was assembled by hand by carpenters without the use of cranes, and then the exterior was painted in order to mark the sense of depth of the central void, defined by white side walls. With the possibility of opening up to the street, the central space captures light and wind, becoming a hybrid place where the lives of residents takes place as if they were outside.

ON design partners: A life with a large opening
Site: Nezu, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
Architects: Osamu Nishida+Naoko Mangyoku
Built area: 18.03 mq
Total floor area: 50.70 mq
Construction: Shinei
Structure: Ryuji Tabata/ASD