2026 | Professional

MUSE Design Awards Silver Winner

Weaving a Margin into Squares

Entrant Company

Takashi Ooigawa, Chuojyutaku,ltd

Category

Architectural Design - Low Cost Housing

Client's Name

Takashi Ooigawa

Country / Region

Japan

When planning a condominium, it is important to divide the land simple and ensure an efficient plan that minimizes the lot area and secure the number of units for sale. Depending on the land's aspect ratio, extending the lot further back from the road and creating a flag lot is an effective way to plan the site, but it often ends up isolating the lot from the other lots adjacent to the road. Separated lots make it difficult for residents to be aware of each other, making it difficult for them to interact or connect. Furthermore, when planning each dwelling unit the resulting margins are important for ensuring privacy, such as the spacing between adjacent buildings and the line of sight between units. However, it seems that this margin is perceived as necessary from considering the lots and is not being used effectively.
By effectively planning the margin that emerges within each dwelling unit and creating spaces that encourage awareness to the neighborhood, we believe we can improve closed relationships and create a community where conversations naturally occur.
This site will contain a total of 30 condominiums. The plot consists of a continuous strip of simple-shaped lots and flag lots. Under typical plans, the "gaps" are often left unused and simply serve as or approaches. By seamlessly connecting the site boundaries, the "gaps" of individual units are elevated into a "core" that functions as a square. To accommodate multiple projects, the plot is not complexly divided, but rather a standard plot plan. The building layout, flow, and the line of sight draw residents' attention to the "core" and encourage to form a natural community. The "core" is based on a tree-centered space, and the signature effect of benches and exterior materials encourages interaction among residents. A green flow and nighttime lighting flow connect the entire neighborhood, spreading the community born from the small "core" throughout the neighborhood, naturally raising residents' awareness of one another and proposing a safe and secure lifestyle.

Credits

Chuojyutaku,ltd
Takashi Ooigawa
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