Situated on a narrow, triangular plot of land in the Horinouchi neighborhood of Suginami, Tokyo, the House in Horinouchi is a small, two-story residence designed by Mizuishi Architects Atelier for a couple and their daughter. Completed in 2011, the project is a testament to resourceful Japanese design, making ingenious use of a confined site nestled between a river and a road. The home's unusual shape is a direct response to the plot's acute angle, with the structure's volume pushing the boundaries of the permitted building envelope. The exterior is clad in metallic brown panels, creating a solid and distinct form with a cantilevered second floor that provides a small, sheltered parking space underneath. Despite its compact size of just 55.2 square meters (595 square feet) over two floors, plus a mezzanine loft, the interior feels more spacious than its footprint suggests. A "reverse" floor plan places the main living spaces on the second floor to take advantage of natural light and views over the adjacent river promenade. Large windows on both sides of the living area, including one that opens to a narrow balcony, frame long sightlines that extend the visual length of the house. A double-height ceiling in the kitchen area further enhances the sense of vertical space and connects to a small loft above, accessed by a ladder and illuminated by a large skylight. The ground floor houses a more private master bedroom, which, defined only by curtains, can expand visually into the adjacent stair hall. Project credits Architecture: Kota Mizuishi / Mizuishi Architect Atelier Structural Engineer: Kentaro Nagasaka Lighting Designer: Tatsuoki Nakajima Contractor: Hirano-Kensetu Photography: Hiroshi Tanigawa