Project Name: House in Nakaimachi

Location: Matsudo City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan

Design Team: Masaya Suzuki Architects

Lead Architect: Masaya Suzuki

Building Area:

Main Building: 100.48 m²

Annex: 25.15 m²

Total Floor Area: 125.63 m²

Site Coverage:

Main Building: 53.00 m²

Annex: 25.15 m²

Total Site Area: 165.50 m²

Structure Type: Wooden Construction

Stories: Main Building 2 floors, Annex 1 floor

Project Team:

Structural Design: KMC (Lead: Ken Kamachi)

Landscape Design: Hashiuchi Garden Design (Lead: Tomoya Hashiuchi)

Construction: Takewaki Housing Construction Co., Ltd. (Lead: Takuya Takewaki)

Project Timeline:

Design Period: October 2022 - October 2023

Construction Period: October 2023 - July 2024

Completion Date: July 2024

Photography: Kenichi Suzuki

Feature：

Project - Japanese architecture firm Masaya Suzuki Architects has unveiled a striking residential project in Matsudo, Chiba, that reimagines the relationship between interior and exterior spaces through a sophisticated interpretation of traditional Japanese design principles.

The House in Nakaimachi comprises a two-story main building and a single-story annex, thoughtfully arranged around a central courtyard that serves as the project's beating heart. This spatial configuration creates what the architects describe as a "primordial living space" that responds intuitively to human comfort and environmental conditions.

The project's most distinctive feature is its innovative approach to spatial flexibility. The ground floor is divided into four distinct zones - the North, Outside, Middle, and South spaces - each designed to serve multiple functions depending on the time of day, weather conditions, and family needs. Large sliding glass doors can be fully opened to transform interior spaces into semi-outdoor areas, creating a seamless flow between the built environment and nature.

"Contemporary houses often prioritize airtightness and security at the expense of environmental connection," explains Masaya Suzuki. "We wanted to challenge this trend by creating spaces that actively engage with natural elements - wind, light, sound, and scent."

Positioned on an elevated site overlooking a cherry blossom park, the house maximizes its privileged location through carefully considered sightlines and natural ventilation pathways. The architects maintained identical frontage dimensions for both buildings while keeping them compact, resulting in an intriguing spatial composition that appears to flow continuously from the street-facing annex to the main house.

This project represents a thoughtful response to modern living requirements while maintaining a deep connection to traditional Japanese architectural values of flexibility, natural harmony, and spatial efficiency.

Design Team - Founded in 2016 by Masaya Suzuki, MASAYA SUZUKI ARCHITECTS has established itself as a distinctive voice in contemporary Japanese architecture, specializing in creating spaces that engage with human sensory perception. Based in Matsudo, Chiba Prefecture, the practice has developed a sophisticated approach to residential and commercial architecture that emphasizes the invisible yet crucial elements of architectural design.

The firm's design philosophy centers on what Suzuki terms "perceptual architecture" - a methodology that carefully considers light, wind, scent, sound, and temperature as fundamental design elements. This approach stems from Suzuki's extensive background, including his formative years at Chiba University's Urban Environment Systems department and his master's studies at Kyoto University of the Arts under the mentorship of renowned architect Yasushi Horibe.

Currently led by Masaya Suzuki (Principal Architect, First-Class Registered Architect No.348026), the studio has garnered recognition through various awards, including the 2020 Matsudo City Landscape Encouragement Award. The practice maintains a focused team structure, allowing for intimate involvement in each project, from initial conception through to completion.

The firm's portfolio demonstrates a consistent commitment to creating timeless architecture that transcends trending styles, instead focusing on spaces that resonate with fundamental human sensibilities. Their work spans residential, commercial, and institutional projects, each characterized by thoughtful integration of natural elements and spatial efficiency.