House In Sinjyo Residential Building

House in Sinjyo Residential Building is an innovative residential architectural project located in Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan, completed in 2018 and recognized with the Silver A' Design Award in Architecture, Building and Structure Design category. This distinctive single-story wooden structure, designed by Japanese architect Kiyoshi Sugimoto in collaboration with Tomohiro Tatsukawa, exemplifies a masterful response to challenging site conditions and privacy requirements. The building's most notable feature is its windowless exterior facade, a deliberate design choice addressing its position along a national highway bypass, while an ingeniously incorporated inner courtyard serves as the primary source of natural light and ventilation. Occupying 110.69 square meters of building area within a 373.56-square-meter site, the residence demonstrates exceptional spatial efficiency and architectural ingenuity. The design philosophy centers on creating an open, hotel-like atmosphere for its two occupants, achieved through a thoughtful floor plan that maximizes living space despite structural limitations. A distinctive feature is the light court, positioned two steps higher than the living room and shared by both the living area and bathroom, creating a unique spatial hierarchy and connection to the exterior environment. The interior layout employs partial-height walls to maintain spatial continuity while defining functional zones, particularly evident in the separation between the living-dining-kitchen area and the water facilities. This architectural solution successfully balances the seemingly contradictory requirements of privacy and openness, earning recognition from the A' Design Award for its innovative approach to residential architecture and its contribution to advancing architectural design standards.

Author: Adam Dawson

Keywords: residential architecture, contemporary Japanese design, privacy-focused housing, natural lighting solutions, courtyard integration, minimalist living space

SOURCES:
https://competition.adesignaward.com/117979

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