Project Name: House "H"

Location: Tokyo, Japan

Design Team: R.E.A.D. & Architects (Kazuki Okada)

Total Floor Area: 223.67 m²

Site Area: 326.63 m²

Building Area: 145.83 m²

Structure: Traditional wooden construction, 2 stories

Completion: July 2024

Photography: Nao Takahashi, Kosuke Ino

Construction: Kimura Industry Co. (Project managers: Tatsuji Yoshino, Hiroyuki Haraguchi)

Structural Design: TS Structural Design (Project manager: Takehito Sato)

Interior Design: R.E.A.D. & Architects (Project manager: Ayako Okada)

Landscape Design: Nishimura Crafts (Project manager: Naoki Nishimura)

Feature：

Project - In the heart of Tokyo's dense urban landscape, architecture firm R.E.A.D. & Architects, led by Kazuki Okada, has crafted an innovative solution to the challenges of flag-shaped plot living with House "H" - a dwelling that masterfully balances privacy with openness through its distinctive H-shaped floor plan.

The project, located on an irregularly shaped flag lot typical of Tokyo's residential areas, responds to a young family's desire for an unencumbered connection to nature despite being surrounded by neighboring properties on all sides. The architects' ingenious response was to create an H-shaped volume that carves out multiple garden spaces within the site's constraints, each with its own distinct character and purpose.

The home's unique configuration creates five different garden spaces that flow seamlessly into the interior spaces. The entrance garden serves as a welcoming threshold, while a concrete-enclosed courtyard on the north side offers a contemplative space. A sun-drenched deck terrace to the south provides an active play area for children, and a traditional tsubo-niwa garden adjoins the tatami room. The second-floor terrace, accessed by a bridge-like corridor, offers a quiet retreat complete with reading benches.

The interior spaces are thoughtfully arranged around this garden network. The ground floor features flexible living areas that can be reconfigured through sliding wooden elements in a U-shape, connecting the dining kitchen, living room, and library space. The second floor houses private spaces, including bedrooms that maintain visual connections to the sky and greenery through carefully positioned openings.

What sets House "H" apart is its sophisticated approach to privacy. Rather than viewing the flag lot's limitations as constraints, the architects employed perimeter concrete walls to create a protective shell, within which the H-shaped plan creates pockets of exterior space. This strategy transforms what could have been a compromised urban plot into a series of intimate outdoor rooms that allow the family to live without curtains while maintaining their privacy - a remarkable achievement in Tokyo's dense residential fabric.

Completed in July 2024, this 223.67-square-meter residence stands as a testament to how thoughtful architectural design can create expansive, nature-connected living spaces even within the most challenging urban contexts.

Design Team - R.E.A.D. & Architects, established in December 2017 in Tokyo, represents a significant evolution in contemporary Japanese architecture under the leadership of Kazuki Okada. The firm's philosophy is deeply rooted in its name, which stands for the careful interpretation of Relationships and Environment through Architecture and Design, emphasizing the interconnection between human relationships and environmental context in every project.

Founded by Kazuki Okada, an alumnus of Kyoto Institute of Technology and former architect at Taniguchi and Associates (2009-2017), the practice brings extensive expertise from involvement in prestigious projects such as the D.T. Suzuki Museum and the Kyoto National Museum Heisei Chishin Wing. This foundation has shaped the firm's approach to creating architecture that seamlessly integrates technical precision, social responsibility, and artistic innovation.

The studio, now led by Principal Architect Kazuki Okada and Interior Design Director Ayako Okada, operates at the intersection of three architectural dimensions: technical expertise, socio-cultural impact, and artistic expression. Their methodology involves a meticulous analysis of site conditions, cultural context, and client requirements, resulting in buildings that transcend mere functional solutions to become enduring contributions to the built environment.

The practice has garnered recognition through various awards, including the BCS Award and the Ishikawa Architecture Award, testament to their commitment to excellence in architectural design. Their portfolio spans diverse typologies, from cultural institutions to private residences, each project embodying their philosophy of creating architecture that fosters new relationships and enhanced environments.