Suzuko Yamada Architects Builds Compact Brutalist Residence in Tokyo

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Suzuko Yamada Architects has revealed the Nakano House, a recently constructed Tokyo home that blends a bold Brutalist aesthetic with a comforting feel. Situated on a compact plot close to a lively shopping area, the structure showcases multiple levels made of concrete, each offering a unique perspective. The architect’s masterful planning imbues the interior with a feeling of eternal grandeur and spatial uncertainty, making it seem as though time stands still amidst one of the world’s most bustling cities.

As various floors and spaces are hinted at through staircases and balconies, the multi-level design is arranged to conceal the size of architectural components. “The house appears more like an extension of its occupant rather than a possession, appearing unclaimed and almost part of the landscape itself, as if it were a natural formation or urban backdrop,” the firm stated.

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Within the property measuring roughly 280sqft, the structure breaks the home into a stack of separate spaces via concrete stairways that spiral and zig-zag through the open plan. With three levels and a roof equaling 560sqft, the home has the small-scale charm of urban Japanese architecture, while challenging the ephemerality that characterizes many local buildings.

I find a profound connection to the rough, gray concrete structure, adorned with visible dimples, that exudes an organic, unrefined charm reminiscent of the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi – the embrace of natural imperfections. This monolithic dwelling serves as a pristine canvas for its inhabitants and their belongings to imbue it with distinctly human traits. Suzuko Yamada Architects describe the relationship between life, nature, and the architecture of the Nakano house as one where they coexist in tension, occasionally intertwining yet never merging completely. They explain that “life and nature are in a constant dance,” with each element influencing and enriching the other, a fascinating harmony indeed.

See the gallery above for a detailed look at Suzuko Yamada Architect’s Nakano House.

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2025-03-20 23:26