MIBUNAKAGAWACHO APARTMENTS

This is a three-story reinforced concrete (RC wall) apartment building with a total floor area of 278.34 sq.m. The program consists of seven residential units ranging from 20 to 38 sq.m, along with parking space, situated on a 120 sq.m site. Aside from the junior high school to the west, the neighborhood is characterized by small-scale buildings. As a result, a standard apartment volume would have felt disproportionately large for the context. To address this, we employed architectural "articulation"—using balcony placement and slits in the common areas to make the building appear as a composition of smaller volumes. By varying the facade's expression and aligning the building’s scale with the streetscape, we sought a harmonious balance between being a profitable real estate asset and a considerate addition to the neighborhood.

On the eastern street side, a two-story dark gray mass—featuring a tunnel-like approach—is stacked atop a light gray parking base. To soften the presence of the three-story structure, we used vertical articulation and 130mm eaves extending from the balconies, ensuring a human scale for pedestrians. On the western side, the facade is vertically divided into three sections to match the unit layout. By extending this design language into the common areas, we created a sense of depth and a dynamic visual experience within the stairwell.

In apartment design, maximizing exclusive floor area is a priority, which often results in common areas being kept to a minimum. Within this compact stairwell, we carefully considered how to create a sense of spatial richness. A vertical slit opening on the north facade introduces stable, diffused light, effectively reducing the feeling of constriction. Additionally, a small void—about half a tatami mat in size—enhances the sense of openness by connecting the space vertically. The handrails are designed to extend the form of the safety barriers from the floors below, emphasizing verticality and creating a seamless, integrated aesthetic throughout the stairwell.

For the maisonette units, we designed the staircase in reinforced concrete, giving it a strong presence within the compact space. By integrating every two steps into a single structural unit, we were able to minimize the overall thickness and create gaps that allow for visual "transparency. " This achieves a unique balance between industrial mass and a sense of lightness.

Despite the small floor area of under 20 sq.m, the facade features large windows. Inside, the partition between the bedroom and kitchen runs perpendicular to these windows, creating a deliberate "discord" between the interior layout and the exterior appearance. This technique is a conscious effort to alleviate the sense of confinement. By subtly shifting the conventions of rental housing, we sought a new equilibrium between architectural character and everyday comfort.

Taking full advantage of the site’s unique position—facing streets on both the east and west, with low-rise neighbors to the north and south—we integrated two to three-sided openings in every unit. This ensures that even in a dense urban setting, each apartment remains a breeze-filled, sun-drenched sanctuary. While offering a variety of distinct floor plans, we meticulously calibrated the windows to balance panoramic interior views with exterior privacy. By moving beyond the uniform layouts typical of rental housing and refining the smallest architectural details, we have created a living space defined by a level of comfort and character usually reserved for custom private residences.