arte-1 architects designs a narrow house with a big glass door in tokyo

small yet mighty — 6 Tsubo House

Arte-1 Architects has realized a three storey dwelling in Tokyo with a slim street frontage of just 4 meters. Situated in the ward of Shinjuku-ku, ‘6 Tsubo House’ had to be specially designed for fire resistance due to the narrow site conditions and proximity of neighboring buildings. With this in mind, the team specified a traditional timber construction method with a wooden fireproof structure using fireproof board for the core of the building.

images © Kai Nakamura

Following the client’s desire to have a small yet open house that connects to people outside, Arte-1 Architects gave the main façade a large glass door opening framed in iron. The element functions not only as the main entrance, but also brings in natural light and provides a visual expansion of the space.

‘ Even the site conditions were harsh, the owner’s strong will to ‘still want to live here’ became a small house with a wide-open door in the alley. We hope this door will be the door of hope that opens the way we live in cities,’ say the architects.

Large curtains and horizontal shutters allow residents to control daylighting, heat, gaze, and help prevent crime. In addition, LOW-E glass has been used to improve thermal insulation performance while ensuring permeability and maintaining comfort in winter.

 On the first floor, there is a living room and kitchen with an atrium connected to the alley. By going up the stairs and passing through the bathroom, the space continues like an extension of an alley to the children’s room, bedroom, and roof balcony. Each room has no partitions, and each area can be felt by changes in finishing materials and colors.

As walking indoors, the silhouette of an arched lattice from the space between the stairs and the landing on the second floor can be seen, and the shadows change over time. In the sunny living room, it can be seen how a moment with friends and neighbors can be enjoyed from the alley through this opening. Iron, which was used not only for the façade but also as a material for stairs and handrails, was effective in gorgeously creating spaciousness and brightness.