A Housing project for a married couple in the commercial district of Shin-Okachimachi, Tokyo, a neighborhood known for its distinctive urban landscape of backstreet workshops and narrow alleys.

Located at the rear of a notably narrow plot, nestled between two buildings, is a 1.5-meter-wide alleyway lined with traditional wooden houses. This space exudes a serene ambiance of daily life. To enhance this atmosphere, we designed the ground floor as an open, alley-like space extending from north to south, allowing the scenic charm of the alley to be appreciated from the main street.

With a site area of just 30 square meters and a width of 3.7 meters, we optimized the interior space by utilizing 100mm x 100mm structural members.

Furthermore, to efficiently utilize the limited building footprint, each floor is configured as a split level, connected by an open-tread staircase. This design approach creates a sense of spaciousness and continuity, giving the living space the impression of a grand staircase encompassing the entire residence.

The façade features ribbed extruded cement boards, aligning with the typology of the surrounding backstreet workshops that use corrugated iron sheets for exterior walls.

Lighting fixtures on each floor were meticulously calibrated to ensure a gradual transition from public to private spaces. This subtle variation in luminance provides comfort and tranquility, guiding residents naturally toward the bedroom as evening falls.