Completed in 2023, the House in Nishizaki is a private residence located on reclaimed land in Okinawa, Japan, and designed by Studio Cochi Architects for a family of three. Situated within a dense and mixed-use urban landscape, the 91-square-meter concrete house was conceived as an "urban oasis" that provides a tranquil, private living environment while adapting to Okinawa's humid climate and typhoon-prone conditions. To achieve privacy and buffer the inhabitants from the bustling surroundings, Studio Cochi Architects enclosed the house in a fortress-like shell of thick, exposed concrete walls, minimizing exterior-facing windows. Instead of relying on conventional windows, the architects integrated two north-south oriented courtyards and a skylight to draw in natural light and promote ventilation. The north-facing courtyard, with its gradual buffer zone, connects with a tatami room and the main entrance, while the south-facing courtyard creates a thick, solid buffer from the busy commercial district. The house's interior is defined by a raw and minimalist aesthetic, with the concrete shell left exposed, complemented by precise geometric compositions and lines. The ground floor contains public areas, such as the living room, kitchen, and tatami room, and the upper floor is reserved for more private spaces, including the bedrooms and bathrooms. The staircase leading to the upper floor is wider than typical to serve as a secondary seating area. By carefully controlling the interplay of light and solid surfaces, Studio Cochi Architects created a series of intimate, serene spaces that offer refuge from the chaotic urban environment. Credits Architects: Studio Cochi Architects (Toshiyuki Igarashi, Hiroyuki Inaoka) Structural Designers: RGB Structure (Masayuki Takata) Builder: Nansei Corporation Photographer: Ooki Jingu