Alley / APOLLO Architects & Associates

Architects: APOLLO Architects & Associates
Area: 102 m²
Year: 2013
Photographs: Masao Nishikawa
City: Sumida
Country: Japan

Alley, a house designed by APOLLO Architects & Associates near Tokyo Skytree, blends modern design with traditional Japanese elements in a dense downtown neighborhood. Built on a small, narrow lot, the house uses dark brown galvanized steel exterior walls, integrating naturally with the old surroundings. Glass street-facing walls and high windows ensure ample light and views. Interior features include exposed joists, see-through stairs, a hori-gotatsu table in the family room, and a U-shaped open kitchen, creating a “small cosmos” where the couple can feel at ease in their compact yet thoughtfully designed home.

Alley / APOLLO Architects & Associates

A client for whom the architect designed and supervised a house eight years ago recently married and purchased a small lot near Tokyo Skytree, in a downtown area. Due to the challenges of constructing on the small, narrow site at the end of a narrow path, wooden construction was selected. The house features soft, dark brown galvanized steel exterior walls, creating a Japanese aesthetic that blends naturally with the surrounding historic neighborhood.

Alley / APOLLO Architects & Associates

Glass walls on the street side allow indoor views to encompass the surrounding environment. At night, ceilings with exposed joists and see-through stairs are illuminated, making the exterior resemble a tower of light. Along with the large facade opening, a high window in the penthouse provides ample light to the interior, ensuring the house doesn’t feel confined despite its location in a high-density residential area.

Alley / APOLLO Architects & Associates

Behind the large entrance earth floor, a small multipurpose space serves as a reception room. Sitting on the edge of this intermediate space creates a sense of unity with the entrance hall, evoking the feel of traditional Japanese homes. In the second-floor family room, a hori-gotatsu-style table (a sunken area for sitting around a built-in table) replaces chairs or a sofa, offering a place to relax while enjoying the stunning view of Tokyo Skytree.

Alley / APOLLO Architects & Associates

A large U-shaped open kitchen enables the couple to cook authentic dishes together and host numerous guests. A step between the kitchen and family room adds visual interest and rhythm to the compact space, while indirect lighting creates a distinctive ambiance. For the busy couple, this “small cosmos” perfectly embodies their vision of an ideal, intimate home.

Alley / APOLLO Architects & Associates
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Project Location

Address: Sumida City, Tokyo, Japan

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