Tokyo Tower House

The Challenge

The 42 m² footprint and 15-metre height limit demanded extraordinary spatial efficiency. Every cubic metre had to serve multiple functions, and the absence of natural light on three sides required a radical rethinking of how light could be introduced into a deep, narrow urban plot.

Our Approach

The central light shaft — a 1.2 m × 1.2 m void running the full height of the building — is the organisational and experiential heart of the house. Skylights at the top and carefully positioned mirrors and reflective surfaces distribute light to every level. The stair wraps this void, making the act of moving through the house a spatial event.