Grid of Operable Windows Fronts Slender Residence by Okuwada Architects in Osaka
House in Abeno by Okuwada Architects is located on a narrow 45.2-square-meter site in Osaka, next to a busy shopping arcade. This two-story wooden home feels open and connected to the urban environment through a grid of full-height windows and terraces.
With the site’s width limited to only 2.73 meters, the architects avoided enclosing the residence with solid walls, which would have made it feel cramped. Instead, they designed a facade featuring stacked aluminum-framed windows that capture views of nearby houses, the street opposite, and the arcade beyond.
Living Space Connected to the Neighborhood
The second-floor living room boasts a full glass wall that brings in the sounds and ambiance of the neighborhood — from the greengrocer’s calls to the arcade’s background music.
Community Integration and Maintenance
Okuwada Architects, based in Osaka, drew inspiration from the city's tradition of community-run shopping arcades, which local residents maintain collectively. Positioned beside one such arcade, the house allows its owners to contribute to this upkeep.
- Two terraces on the upper floors provide direct access to the arcade roof.
- Residents can step outside to assist with cleaning and maintaining the arcade.
“I hope that this house will transcend boundaries and connect architecturally with the arcade and neighboring residences, becoming a presence that embraces the city,”
Author’s summary: This slender Osaka residence by Okuwada Architects uses a glass grid facade and terraces to blend modern living with active community engagement in the local shopping arcade’s upkeep.