Architects: Studio Cochi Architects
Year: 2023
Photography: Ooki Jingu
Lead Architect: Toshiyuki Igarashi, Hiroyuki Inaoka
Stucture Engineering: Masayuki Takata
Program / Use / Building Function: Residential
City: Okinawa
Country: Japan
House in Nishizaki, designed by Studio Cochi Architects in Okinawa, Japan, is a concrete monolith built for a couple and a child. Located in a newly developed residential area in southern Okinawa, the house balances the chaotic surrounding landscape with the natural charm of Okinawa. Completed in 2023, this residence addresses noise, dense housing, and the threat of typhoons to create a comfortable indoor environment.
House in Nishizaki by Studio Cochi Architects sits as a concrete monolith in a newly developed residential area in the southern part of Okinawa’s main island, reclaimed by landfill. The site is surrounded by a mix of commercial, residential, and industrial facilities, with quieter residential zones to the north and bustling commercial areas to the south, separated by a busy highway. The challenge lies in balancing the chaotic landscape with Okinawa’s natural charm while addressing noise, dense housing, and the constant threat of typhoons to create a comfortable indoor environment.
The client requested a home that acts as a visual buffer from the surrounding area while bringing in as much daylight and wind as possible. Studio Cochi Architects crafted a rectangular concrete building that matches the site shape. The facade along the main street is a windowless monolith, while the opposite side reveals a more porous design, with a street-level main entrance. Upon entering, residents are welcomed by social rooms on the first floor, with private bedrooms and bathrooms on the second floor.
Light and ventilation come through courtyards and a skylight in the north-south direction. The north-facing courtyard acts as a gradual buffer zone between the street and interiors, thanks to a tatami room-like section that doubles as a parlor and leads to the kitchen-dining area. The south-side courtyard functions as a thick and solid buffer zone between the town and the staircase leading to the private rooms. “The staircase is also intended to be used as a dimly lit room; it is a little roomier to accommodate chairs and other items,” explains the practice.
The interplay of strong and weak buffer zones allows daily activities to unfold inside House in Nishizaki without feeling too exposed amid a densely populated and chaotic context. “In addition, most of the furniture and fittings were made in my own workshop. I would like to expand the possibilities of craftsmanship that is not dependent on the mainland but is provided within the prefecture,” concludes the studio’s lead architect, Toshiyuki Igarashi.
Project Gallery
Project Location
Address: Nishizaki, Itoman, Okinawa Prefecture 901-0305, Japan
Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily a precise address.
