Miyamoto house: contemporary Japanese architecture
- Photo: Shinkenchiku sha
A house without barriers
In the bustling urban environment of Osaka, a dwelling emerges that redefines family living and interaction with space: the House in Miyamoto, designed by Tato Architects under the direction of Yo Shimada. This project, conceived for a family of three, challenges traditional housing conventions and plays with a concept of contemporary Japanese architecture.
From the outset, the owners expressed clear desires: a house where, regardless of the location within it, each member could feel the proximity of the others; the absence of private rooms, thus avoiding isolation; and the elimination of conventional storage spaces, preferring that objects were always in sight, integrated into daily life. These premises led the design team to explore innovative solutions that fused functionality and spatial cohesion.
The architectural response was the creation of a sequence of platforms connected by 700 mm height differences. These height differences allow each level to function in a multipurpose manner: a platform can serve as a desk in relation to the level below or as a shelf in relation to two levels below. This arrangement not only provides specific places for objects, but also facilitates a unified perception of the space, resembling a large continuous room.
The internal structure is organized in two intertwining spirals, meeting momentarily in the living area before diverging again and ascending towards two roof terraces. This configuration generates multiple paths within the house, offering flexibility in circulation and the possibility of adapting spaces according to the needs of privacy or interaction that may arise over time.
Located on a flag-shaped lot resulting from the subdivision of old wooden houses near the station, the house is surrounded by parking lots and apartment buildings. Anticipating future developments that could obstruct the entry of natural light, especially in the lower areas, a cubic volume design with a flat roof was chosen, incorporating triangular courtyards that act as light wells. Windows are evenly distributed, minimizing interference with the structure and preparing for possible changes in the surrounding environment.
Since the area is classified as fire prevention, a steel structure with an interior height of 6,900 mm was used. Within this space, thirteen platforms float on seven different levels: the upper seven are suspended by 20 mm steel rods from the ceiling beams, while the lower six are supported by 75 mm square steel tubes. This repetition of a simple, self-contained system creates a spatial configuration that, according to the architects, functions as an “echo chamber,” amplifying interior life and generating a sense of limitless expansiveness.
Since moving in, the inhabitants have integrated their belongings and routines into the space, achieving a symbiosis between objects, architecture and people. The home has become a dynamic setting, where daily life unfolds with richness and diversity, constantly offering new perspectives and experiences.
