Studio Cochi Architects creates courtyard house in Okinawa from raw concrete
The Nishizaki House, designed by Studio Cochi Architects, elegantly blends urban convenience with serene residential living on Okinawa’s main island. This thoughtfully constructed home is situated on reclaimed land within a newly developed residential area in southern Okinawa, balancing the dynamic demands of an active urban environment and the need for tranquil, private family living.
Surrounding the Nishizaki House is a vibrant mixture of residential zones, bustling commercial districts, industrial areas, schools, parks, and fishing ports. This diverse urban fabric creates an environment that’s lively but also potentially disruptive, especially with heavy traffic along the highway to the south. Conversely, the home’s northern side remains calm, bordered by quieter residential neighborhoods. Given Okinawa’s densely built urban landscape, maintaining privacy and tranquility was a significant architectural challenge.
To create an urban sanctuary as requested by the client—a family of three—Studio Cochi Architects carefully considered site orientation, natural lighting, airflow, and acoustic privacy. The house adopts a simple yet functional rectangular layout, strategically placing public spaces like the living and tatami rooms on the ground floor to enhance connectivity with the surroundings. Private areas, such as bedrooms and bathrooms, are situated upstairs to optimize seclusion.
A distinctive feature of Nishizaki House is its strategic use of dual courtyards, one at each end of the home, aligned north-south. The northern courtyard acts as a gentle buffer zone against neighboring residences, providing both privacy and openness to natural elements. This courtyard facilitates a gradual transition between the indoors and the neighborhood, allowing controlled natural light and airflow into the residence.
In contrast, the southern courtyard serves as a robust acoustic and visual barrier from the busy highway and commercial zones nearby. By significantly buffering the home’s southern exposure, this courtyard preserves the serenity of internal spaces, including the stair room, which is uniquely spacious enough to accommodate furnishings, creating a versatile, multipurpose area.
Within the interior, thoughtful design choices further enhance the sense of space and tranquility. The connected living room and traditional tatami room create an expansive and cohesive indoor environment, maximizing internal sightlines and promoting a sense of openness and calm. The stair room, dimly lit and slightly larger than typical staircases, doubles as an additional relaxation area, underscoring the home’s flexible design.
Studio Cochi Architects also emphasized sustainability and local craftsmanship in the design of the Nishizaki House. Most of the home’s furniture and fittings were crafted directly by the studio, showcasing local materials and artisanship. This approach reduces reliance on imported materials, promotes local economic sustainability, and highlights Okinawa’s unique craftsmanship potential.
All images by Ooki Jingu, with courtesy of Studio Cochi Architects
https://studiocochiarchitects.jp
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