Architects: APOLLO Architects & Associates
Area: 93 m²
Year: 2013
Photography: Masao Nishikawa
Lead Architect: Satoshi Kurosaki
Structure Engineers: Masaki Structure Institute / Kenta Masaki
Facility Engineers: Shimada Architects / Zenei Shimada
Construction: Kera Construction
City: Setagaya
Country: Japan
Sign house, a residential project by APOLLO Architects & Associates in Setagaya, Japan, innovatively addresses site limitations and zoning rules. Completed in 2013, the design integrates privacy and functionality and features an earthquake-resistance structure. The residence maximizes natural light and cleverly utilizes space, with living areas spread over three floors. The compact 93 m² home emphasizes privacy with a sculptural front facade while maintaining an open, connected interior. Walnut accents contrast with the monochromatic frame, adding warmth to the design.
APOLLO Architects maximizes a small site and complies with zoning regulations to create ‘Sign,’ a light-filled, earthquake-resistant residence. This minimalist, three-story house is located on a busy street in Tokyo. The clients, a systems engineer and a nurse in their 30s, live here with their young child. The compact lot has a narrow frontage but extends deeply into the site.
To ensure privacy, the house is designed to appear solid, though the front features a sculptural wooden screen. The entrance, located behinds the slatted partition, is accessed through the carport. The exterior walls are angled to give the driver a clear view when entering or leaving the property.
In a narrow, three-story wooden house, parking and entry traffic lines can pose structural challenges. Here, the structural issues were addressed by using the second-floor balcony’s handrail as both an entrance gate and load-bearing wall. The gate, semi-closed for rhythm and visual distance from the street, also connects the road to the entrance.
The ground floor houses the bathroom and master bedroom toward the rear. Small ceiling-level windows ensure light enters without compromising privacy. This level includes the main bedroom and a one-room body lounge. The second floor’s family room, a single space with a large atrium, creates a sense of openness between floors.
The primary living areas are on the loft level. The middle floor contains an open-plan kitchen, dining, and living room, with balconies as both ends offering views of the street or sky. Walnut floors and built-in furniture contrast with the monochromatic architecture, creating a delicate aesthetic. The spring staircase, simply finished with welded steel, and architectural lighting reflect the resident’s intent in this fully custom-made home.
A second staircase leads to a multipurpose room, which can be used for study, relaxation, or guests. The third-floor children’s room is left without fixtures for flexibility. This open space connects gently to the lower floors, allowing ample daylight to filter through.
Although the front and rear exterior spaces are small, fully opening the fittings creates a strong indoor-outdoor connection. The design balances boldness and delicacy, making full use of the limited plot to bring the family closer together.
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Project Location
Address: Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan
Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily a precise address.
