All For Gardening
Japanese Garden

A Garden Alleyway Connects These Two Japanese Homes



Japanese architect Hiroyuki Unemori designed two homes in Tokyo, one for himself and one for his sister-in-law, emphasising privacy and connection.

Instead of a traditional fence, an open alley connects the two families, providing usable outdoor space, sunlight, and a connection to the gardens. Unemori utilised building coverage ratio regulations, creating elevated terraces and semi-underground spaces for each home.

The design incorporates specific window placements to connect each family with the sky, city, and nature. Both homes feature warm timber interiors and ample natural light. Unemori sees the project not as two separate houses, but as a small commons for their families, emphasising a generous and communal lifestyle.

English and Japanese subtitles are available.

Website article with photographs and the floor plan;
https://simpledwelling.net/homes/houses-unemori-architects

Japan trip supported by BowerBird
https://www.bowerbird.io/
https://www.instagram.com/bowerbird.io/

Japanese Architect Makes Clever Use of a 45m2 Site in Tokyo

A Series of Courtyards Enhances This 1850s Victorian Terrace House

Houses by Unemori Architects
https://unemori-archi.com/
https://www.instagram.com/unemori_architects/

Landscape design by soil green 4
http://soilgreen4.com/
https://www.instagram.com/keisuke_soilgreen4/

Join to have the Simple Edition delivered to your inbox every month;
https://simpledwelling.net/simple-edition

Support what I do by becoming a channel member;
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe1R0tqKeEZmbCMPZzH5M2g/join

Simple Dwelling
https://www.simpledwelling.net
https://www.instagram.com/simple_dwelling

For business inquires, advertising, sponsorship, etc, visit https://www.simpledwelling.net/advertise

Have a home that is simple and sustainable? Consider submitting for a featured episode;
https://simpledwelling.net/submissions

Produced by Simple Dwelling
Filmed and Edited by Simple Dwelling / Anthony Richardson

#HomeDesign #JapaneseHouse #InteriorDesign #HouseTour #HomeTour

21 Comments

  4. Adolar

    I love the sense of exploration that he created and the material selection is very expressive. ❤

  8. tonyd2h

    Stunning and unique building! Also beautifully shot. I always love the composition of the shots, so artistic! If I may just comment on one aspect I noticed since watching this channel which may be a matter of taste but perhaps something to consider: I sometimes feel a bit desorientated as the shots – beautiful as they are – shift rapidly to a different location in the house with seemingly little spatial connection between them (perhaps I'm the only one who feels a bit lost this way). It sometimes gives me the feeling that I haven't seen the whole house, which leaves me somewhat unfulfilled. I'd like to be more constructive as I unfortunately don't have a specific solution in mind within the style of the channel but I just wanted to share in case this feedback is useful 🙂
    Anyway, I keep watching for the tasteful stills and wonderful architecture so keep it up!

  9. guy dw

    Perfect! I would love to see this house as a character /setting in a movie. Also loved the sound scape in this.

  10. Reece Chia

    I love the varying levels and spaces and especially how the design achieves the aims of it's philosophy. What a fabulous lifestyle he has created.

  11. HonestlyThough

    To think this was created from an open lot. I can't even imagine designing or visualizing this on paper before it was constructed.

  12. Shellesky

    Perfect design…co-living with family is coming back in trend & with the cost of living skyrocketing in so many countries is actually quite a sensible solution. This design captures a wonderful essence of privacy & togetherness.

  13. Jenny Campbell

    I love Japanese architecture both old and new. Having Japanese in laws and visiting Japan I never tire of looking at dwellings. So many innovative ideas.

  16. Chris Durham

    I love everything about these houses and their concept. The ‘communal’ alleyway is a wonderful way to connect neighbours, the interior materials of the houses feel warm and inviting and the change of levels creates interesting spaces.
    Does anyone know where these are?

Write A Comment

Pin