This report highlights the innovative architectural design of a combined residence and office in a congested residential district of Tokyo, conceptualized by HOAA / Hiroyuki Oinuma Architect & Associates. Completed in 2025, the 96-square-meter property faced the significant challenge of maximizing natural light and garden views in an area surrounded by other homes on three sides. The design ingeniously incorporated a substantial north-facing window to address this, creating an illusion of spaciousness and openness while maintaining a sense of privacy. The project serves as a testament to creative solutions for urban living, skillfully blending functionality with aesthetic appeal in a compact environment.
The property, serving as both the architect's home and workspace, is a prime example of how thoughtful design can overcome site limitations. Its location in a densely populated area meant that all sides, except the northern fronting the road, were flanked by other buildings. This necessitated a strategic approach to light and views, leading to the decision to install a prominent window on the north side. The primary objective was to ensure ample natural light and a pleasant garden vista without compromising privacy or feeling enclosed by the surrounding urban fabric. The architects successfully navigated these constraints, demonstrating a harmonious balance between the built environment and the desire for natural elements.
Ingenious Design for Urban Light and Space
In the bustling Nakano district of Tokyo, a unique architect's residence and office, designed by HOAA / Hiroyuki Oinuma Architect & Associates, stands as a model of innovative urban architecture. Completed in 2025, this 96-square-meter property tackles the pervasive urban challenge of limited space and natural light. With neighboring houses on all sides except the north-facing road, the architects implemented a bold strategy: integrating a large window on the north facade. This decision was crucial for drawing in ambient light and creating an expansive, green outlook, despite the immediate proximity of other structures. The design deftly balances the need for privacy with the desire for open, illuminated interiors, showcasing a sophisticated understanding of spatial dynamics in a confined setting.
The core design philosophy revolved around transforming a potentially restrictive urban plot into a bright and inviting space. The large north-facing window acts as a pivotal element, meticulously placed to capture indirect light and offer a carefully curated view of a small garden area. This strategic placement ensures that the interiors are bathed in soft, consistent light throughout the day, mitigating the oppressive feeling often associated with dense urban environments. Furthermore, the design incorporates clever screening and spatial arrangements to maintain privacy from adjacent properties, proving that urban density does not necessitate a compromise on comfort or aesthetic quality. The result is a residence that feels far more open and connected to nature than its physical footprint suggests, a true marvel of architectural ingenuity in a challenging urban landscape.
Balancing Privacy and Openness in a Dense Neighborhood
The Nakano House, conceived by HOAA / Hiroyuki Oinuma Architect & Associates, represents a thoughtful response to the challenges of building in a densely packed Tokyo neighborhood. This dual-purpose structure, serving as both a home and office, required a delicate balance between ensuring residents' privacy and fostering an open, airy atmosphere. Given that the property is abutted by other buildings on all but one side, the design team focused on a singular, strategic intervention: a generously sized north-facing window. This choice was paramount in establishing a visual connection to the outside world and inviting natural light, without exposing the interior to the immediate gaze of neighbors. The architects successfully crafted a living environment that feels secluded yet spacious, a remarkable achievement in a confined urban setting.
Achieving this equilibrium involved more than just window placement; it encompassed a holistic approach to the building's envelope and internal layout. The exterior facade was designed to be largely opaque on the sides facing adjacent properties, utilizing materials and forms that provide robust privacy. Conversely, the north facade was transformed into a luminous interface with the street, featuring the expansive window that visually extends the living space into a small, carefully designed garden. Interior spaces were then arranged to benefit maximally from this light source, with clever partitioning and material choices further enhancing the sense of openness while still defining distinct functional zones. This careful orchestration of elements ensures that inhabitants can enjoy both the tranquility of a private home and the invigorating presence of natural light and greenery, all within the bustling context of urban Tokyo.
