yaneura design clusters an 'archipelago' of moveable dwellings spaces in toyonaka, japan

osaka-based architecture studio yaneura design introduces its ‘archipelago toyonaka’ as an accessible and affordable dwelling typology. the project is conceived in response to the real estate industry, which commonly sees its buyers repaying loans over decades. the design team comments on the inception of the project: ‘by the time the mortgage has been repaid and the house is owned, the occupant is nearing the end of their life. is that really all right? if you can buy a house sooner and cheaper, you have more freedom. building a house should not be the purpose of life. the purpose of life is to lead a rich life.’

all images by hiroki kawata photography

the team at yaneura design envisions its archipelago toyonaka as a replicable dwelling typology. the part-to-whole construction comprises modules that fit the dimensions of a shipping container, and can be easily moved or removed according to the changing lifestyle of its occupant — a concept which recalls the mid-century metabolism movement that hybridizes urban living with organic growth. the house can grow as its occupant requires or can afford it. the team elaborates on its prefabricated dwellings: ‘archipelago is a completed architectural space — a product space. it is possible to commercialize architecture and mass-produce it, thereby stabilizing quality, shortening the construction period, and ‘upgrading.‘

project info:

project title: archipelago toyonaka

architecture: yaneura design

location: toyonaka city, osaka

structural design: kataoka structure

construction: egawa architectural design office

completion: march 2020

photography: hiroki kawata photography