Design firm: Arii Irie Architects
Project name: Villa in Saitama
Location: Saitama, Japan
Dimensions: 143 smq Nestled within a residual plot “squeezed” by the surrounding buildings, this single-family home, designed by Arii Irie Architects in Saitama, north of the Tokyo metropolitan area, assertively asserts its spatial and volumetric autonomy from the dense, compact urban fabric. The square-plan volume is rotated by 45 degrees relative to the plot’s orientation, thereby breaking the rigidity of the orthogonal grid. This creates distance between the house and neighbouring buildings, allowing it to capture unobstructed views and sunlight. Inside, a series of fluid spaces embodies the desire to break free from the rigid urban layout, from the open-plan ground floor to the first-floor sleeping area, where movable walls create flexible spaces that can adapt to the family's evolving requirements. The rough, industrial character of the metal-clad exterior is softened inside by wooden surfaces, smooth finishes, and neutral tones, which lend warmth to the space and transform the home into a cosy domestic “cocoon”.