Architects:Fujiwaramuro Architects

Area :65 m²

Year :2020

Photographs :Katsuya Taira

Lead Architects :Shintaro Fujiwara, Yoshio Muro

City : Osaka

Country : Japan

Conveniently located in a residential neighborhood in downtown Osaka, this lot sits between a wide street and a narrow one, with access to both. The design features an alley-like space running through the house and connecting the two streets, which brings flow and freedom of movement into the plan.

A key challenge for residential architecture in central Osaka is how to ensure privacy while creating a sense of openness and connection to the outside world. In this project, the alley-like space is an interior area that feels like it is outside, which makes the various rooms in the house also feel more open and connected to the outside world. Residents and visitors can enter the “alley” from the front of the building, which faces the larger street and follow it out to the narrow back street. Benches in the “alley” offer a place to spend time.