Shintaro Fujiwara's "House in Toyonaka" Wins Silver A' Design Award

Reimagining Privacy in Contemporary Architecture: A Japanese Perspective

Shintaro Fujiwara's design philosophy is rooted in the belief that small and enclosed spaces can also be comfortable. This belief, he suggests, is inspired by traditional Japanese architecture, particularly the tea ceremony room. In a society where privacy is increasingly valued, Fujiwara feels this philosophy should be reconsidered.

The "House in Toyonaka" is located in a residential district surrounded by closely packed houses, with no outstanding views. The challenge was to create a stimulating and beautiful space that had no large windows and was closed to the outside world, while still maintaining privacy. The design's unique properties lie in its ability to achieve this balance.

The house's technical specifications include a site area of 95.60 sqmt, a building area of 53.42 sqmt, and a total floor area of 107.62 sqmt. The maximum height is 8.5m, with a maximum width of 8.4m and a maximum depth of 9.5m. The limited openings contribute to privacy in the dense residential area, while also sensitively perceiving the change of time with limited sunlight.

The design project started in May 2016 and was completed in June 2018 in Osaka, Japan. A major challenge was to create a space that did not feel blocked while limiting the openings. This was achieved by incorporating a glass floor, split-level floor, and skylights, which reduced the feeling of blockage by allowing the line of sight to slightly pass at each part of the house.

The "House in Toyonaka" was awarded the Silver A' Design Award in 2020, a prestigious accolade given to top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that illustrate outstanding expertise and innovation. These designs, admired for their strong technical characteristics and splendid artistic skill, showcase a remarkable level of excellence and introduce positive feelings, amazement, and wonder.