staggered volumes in love architecture's tokyo residential complex ensure privacy & ample light

Renzankyo residential complex in Tokyo by Love Architecture

Love Architecture has completed the Renzankyo residential complex in Tokyo, characterized by staggered volumes that subtly mimic the surrounding mountain landscape. Situated at the dead end of a quiet alley, with neighboring elements like an elementary school’s outdoor pool and exposed piping nearby, the site presented a challenge of enclosure. To address this, the resulting design is arranged in a U-shape along the site’s perimeter, with only a narrow strip along the road to shield unwanted views. Although this layout limits legal daylighting, the interior design strategically staggers to maintain privacy while maximizing natural light. Paths within the site lead organically towards an open space at the southwest corner, ensuring compliance with safety regulations while providing greenery and sheltered areas. To manage shadows in accordance with regulations, the gabbled roofs are designed with varying heights and slopes, creating a visually dynamic yet functional architectural composition.

all images by Love Architecture

Maximizing Space Efficiency

To optimize space, Love Architecture minimized the number of rooms on the third floor, adopting a flat-type room approach to reduce stairs. Strategically placed indoor staircases overlap vertically, while external staircases on gabled roofs provide internal pathways without altering building coverage. Rooms facing internal pathways serve as combined living-dining-kitchen spaces, maximizing daylight and views. Any areas with height constraints are designated as balconies or closets. Going beyond functionality, the design aims for a ‘phenomenological dynamism’, where residents engage with the space through their senses. The apartment building is envisioned as a nested structure, comprising private rooms and shared external spaces. Every detail is crafted to evoke dynamism, reminiscent of a tea room and its surrounding garden relationship. The urban setting transforms the enclosed alleyway into a serene ‘mountain villa’ within the cityscape, offering residents a tranquil retreat amid urban life’s hustle and bustle.

the trees maintain legal pathway width, ensuring visibility from outside and drooping branches seen from inside

Designing Internal Pathways with Nature-Inspired Elements

The exterior walls of the buildings, clad in dark charred cedar, echo the silhouette of mountains against the dusk sky. Pathways, reminiscent of Japanese tea gardens, feature sandy soil pavement and are adorned with mountain trees and wildflowers, providing serene glimpses of nature. Access to rooms is facilitated by stepping stones or jumping stones, enhancing the tranquil atmosphere. Inside, windows offer views of mountain trees and the garden, akin to a traditional Japanese tearoom’s ambiance. Bamboo lattices discreetly conceal aluminum sliding doors facing the pathways, while hanging shoji screens on windows facing neighboring properties offer shade and privacy. Interior partitions crafted from earthen walls, some protruding to resemble angled corner windows, contribute to the natural aesthetic. Traditional paper lanterns hanging from the top-floor ceiling add to the serene ambiance.

staggered layout and gabled roofs facing multiple directions create a shadow-rich interior and diverse views of the tea garden landscape

Each opening detail is tailored to its location and function. For example, on the third floor, the outward-facing window prioritizes views, while those on lower floors focus on shading. The sliding window detail integrates elements like the right vertical frame serving as a door stopper, creating a streamlined appearance. The wall finish between the bathroom and storage extends seamlessly, with storage doors slightly set outward for continuity. Within the cedar frame, the bathroom and storage doors align, with the frame accommodating curtain rails and concealing entrance door frames. This design highlights the landscape and craftsmanship while maintaining functionality.

the U-shaped building layout shields neighboring houses