The Nishizaki House in Okinawa is a residence for a family of three. The building is situated on reclaimed land in a newly developed residential area in the southern part of Okinawa. The northern side is a residential area, offering a peaceful living environment, while the southern side, extending along the highway, leads to a nearby commercial area, providing convenient transportation and a variety of facilities, albeit in a relatively noisy environment. Although Okinawa boasts unique natural landscapes, developed areas are characterized by dense buildings, forming a bustling yet chaotic scene. Considering the typhoon climate, the architectural team at Studio Cochi Architects planned a corresponding and comfortable residential space based on these existing conditions.
Before designing the building, the team understood that the owner wanted a living space that felt like an urban oasis, away from the city's hustle and bustle. Therefore, the architects centered the design on introducing natural wind and light, ensuring privacy while providing a peaceful and simple living space as much as possible. The building echoes the site's contour, forming a rectangular appearance. The concrete facade shapes a tranquil and plain personality, with public spaces on the first floor connecting as much as possible with the surrounding environment through windows, and private spaces such as bedrooms and bathrooms on the second floor to ensure sufficient privacy during rest.
To introduce more natural light and air, the designers positioned the skylight and courtyard in a north-south direction to maximize open setback areas. The northern courtyard acts as a buffer zone connecting the tatami area and living room inside, extending the window view in the interior and allowing natural light to freely illuminate, creating a spacious visual effect. In contrast, the southern courtyard forms a quiet and solid buffer zone between neighboring houses and the staircase, where chairs or landscape features can be placed for leisure. As people enter the interior from the outside and ascend the spacious staircase, they experience a transformation in mood.
The doors of the front and rear courtyards are made of mottled metal, creating a sense of time. The indoor cantilevered design balances the overall harmony of the space, making the movement within more transparent and enhancing family interaction. Most of the furniture in the space is handmade by the architectural team, showcasing local craftsmanship and reducing dependence on imported items. The warm wood of the furniture softens the cool tones of the concrete, adding a gentle atmosphere to the space. Through design, the Nishizaki House enhances the circulation of natural elements within, creates more connections with the surrounding environment, and reduces the disturbances caused by high population density, allowing residents to feel the comfort of hidden tranquility in the city and find a sense of belonging for their souls.
