Creating Space from Constraints
Fujiwaramuro Architects reimagines domestic life on a narrow, irregular site with this house in Fujidere, Osaka . Originally part of a larger site, the site was remodeled from a previous construction site, and is long and slender, but brimming with spatial potential. Rather than acknowledging its limitations, the architects embraced the unusual shape and designed a zigzag layout that cleverly creates depth, privacy, and quiet moments within the home. The unique form allows each family member to retreat or connect as needed, providing a subtle choreography of movement and space.
Image © Katsuya Taira
A corridor connecting and dividing a house in Fujidere
The center of Fujiwaramuro Architects’ house in Fujidere is a corridor that extends like a quiet alley from front to back, anchoring the house. Around this corridor, rooms are carefully arranged to support a variety of lifestyles. The first floor includes the entrance, garage, office, workspace, kitchen, dining room, and living room, each area adjoining the corridor as a separate pavilion. This arrangement allows the family to conduct their daily activities smoothly while maintaining a comfortable degree of separation.
FujiwaraMuro Architects designed the Fujidere home for a family of four on a narrow urban lot.
The architects struck a balance between the house’s internal rhythm and its subtle interaction with the outside world. Openings between the zigzag walls and the site boundaries allow natural light, breezes, and garden views into the house, breaking up the potential monotony of the narrow site. These interstitial spaces act as small courtyards, providing a sense of calm and airiness despite the house’s small size .
Everyday Balance Project by FujiwaraMuro Architects
The upper floors of the Fujidere House follow the same corridor logic as designed by Fujiwaramuro Architects, with rooms arranged on both sides of the corridor, reflecting the structure of the first floor. This consistent spatial rhythm provides both continuity and flexibility. Whether parents need to focus on work, children want to play or study, or the whole family gathers, the layout allows for natural interaction without compromising individual comfort.
The team did not simply create a house, but designed a subtle social architecture where family members can coexist, easily switching between connection and privacy. The house is complex yet tranquil, intimate yet open, and reflects a deep understanding of how people live and move through space. It is an approach that turns architectural constraints into opportunities for meaningful design.
The home uses a zigzag layout to create depth and distinction within a narrow space.
A central hallway runs from front to back, connecting the rooms while providing privacy.
The living spaces are organized around a hallway to accommodate various family responsibilities.
