Inclayer: A Prototype of Urban Residential Design

Masayuki Miki's Innovative Approach to Urban Living

What sets Inclayer apart is its ingenious use of space. Faced with the challenge of designing a house in a narrow area, Miki sought to maximize daylight and ventilation on the first floor. The solution was to raise the main room to the second floor and increase its volume, allowing for natural light and air circulation from high-positioned windows. The result is a layered interior that creates a sense of spaciousness within a compact footprint.

Inclayer is not just a triumph of spatial design; it's also a prototype for sustainable urban living. The high-ceilinged space is designed with a focus on zero-energy housing. This means that the house is highly energy-efficient, a feature that is particularly impressive given the large interior volume.

The house was constructed by Advance Architects Co., Ltd., with Miki at the helm. The two-story timber structure covers a site area of 131.88 square meters and a total size of 117.72 square meters. Despite its compact footprint, the house offers a high degree of openness and privacy, with windows on each surface allowing residents to enjoy the light and wind without compromising their privacy.

The project was completed in Osaka, Japan, in June 2016. Since then, it has been the subject of ongoing research into the energy consumption of large-volume, high-ceiling spaces. The aim is to determine whether the energy efficiency inherent in such spaces can be enhanced by improving the performance of the outer wall, thereby making the house a zero-energy home.

In recognition of its innovative design and sustainable features, Inclayer was awarded the Silver A' Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award in 2019. This prestigious award is given to designs that demonstrate outstanding expertise and innovation, and Inclayer certainly fits the bill. With its unique approach to urban living, it offers a new model for residential design in densely populated cities.