alphaville's slice of the city offers privacy within a densely populated neighborhood

alphaville’s slice of the city offers privacy within a densely populated neighborhood
all images by toshiyuki yano

in nishinomiya, a japanese city located between osaka and kobe, alphaville architects has designed a white cuboid dwelling that shields itself from the prying eyes of adjacent properties. named ‘slice of the city’, the house sits within a dense residential neighborhood where buildings are positioned in close proximity to one another.

the white cuboid dwelling shields itself from prying eyes

to ensure a sense of privacy, the architects made a long, narrow void by dividing the scheme into two separate structures. as the void is oriented in an east-west direction, light and air are able to enter via the south elevation. rooms are linked via a bridge-shaped staircase, slightly shifted so as not to intersect the open space. this circulation route culminates in a sheltered roof terrace that provides views across the neighborhood.

the entrance to the two storey property

a long narrow void divides the scheme into two separate buildings

 light and air are able to enter via the south elevation

the brightly illuminated kitchen

rooms are linked via a bridge-shaped staircase

brilliant white walls reflect natural daylight

the circulation route culminates in a sheltered roof terrace

views are offered across the neighborhood

the house sits within a dense residential neighborhood

project info:

name: slice of the city
site: hyogo, japan
site area: 75.15 sqm
building area: 50.46 sqm
total floor area: 95.96 sqm
scale: 2 storeys
structure system: wood
structural engineer: chiro hashimoto (s3 associates inc.)
photography: toshiyuki yano