takeshi hosaka architects | architecture and interiors news and projects

semicircular skylights cast sunbeams across takeshi hosaka’s concrete residence in tokyo

thomai tsimpou I designboom — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 09:20:54 +0000

takeshi hosaka builds two-story concrete residence in tokyo

In Bunkyo, Tokyo, architect Takeshi Hosaka designs Yayoi House for a family of four, rooting domestic life in an ecosystem of plants, water, and light. The reinforced concrete residence spans two stories and prioritizes cyclical living. From rooftop rainwater runoff to edible wall-climbing vines, the home integrates natural processes within the city, creating a resilient, self-sustaining habitat.

The decision to build only two stories instead of three was deliberate—an intentional move to create a vertical canvas where sunlight and moonlight could refract across raw concrete surfaces. Two large, semicircular skylights, set diagonally from one another, channel celestial light into the heart of the home. This luminous core opens up into a generous, nearly six-meter-high space that unites the living, dining, and kitchen areas. Surrounding this central volume are the terrace, the children’s rooms, the master bedroom, and the wife’s hobby room, where aquariums and fish tanks introduce a living element to the interior.

all images by Noboru Inoue

yayoi house integrates nature into everyday life

At first glance, Yayoi House stands out for its unique environmental approach. Tokyo-based architect Takeshi Hosaka wraps the structure with greenery. Bitter gourd vines scale the walls, biotopes cluster at the ground, and rainwater drips openly from roof to earth. Water flows along uncovered gutters, down the exterior walls, and into a curated biotope near the entrance. Initially maintained by the family, this aquatic microcosm is later left to self-regulate, evolving into a miniature ecosystem of plankton, plants, and fish. The system is both visible and experiential: glimpsed from a semicircular window inside the foyer and animated during daily rituals like entering the home or bathing beside a planted inner garden.

Hosaka also threads in a subtle food cycle. Waste from the kitchen garbage processor nourishes the terrace plants, yielding nutrient-rich soil. This closed-loop logic of waste, water, and growth exemplifies the architect’s intention, which is to embed the basic elements of nature within the city and in daily life.

Takeshi Hosaka designs Yayoi House for a family of four

the reinforced concrete residence spans two stories

the architect carves two large, semicircular skylights, set diagonally from one another

the skylights channel celestial light into the heart of the home

this luminous core opens up into a generous, nearly six-meter-high space

uniting the living, dining, and kitchen areas

a vertical canvas for sunlight and moonlight to refract

light reflects across raw concrete surfaces

the terrace, the children’s rooms, the master bedroom, and the wife’s hobby room surround the central volume

rooting domestic life in a deliberate ecosystem of plants, water, and light

Yayoi house prioritizes cyclical living

a resilient, self-sustaining habitat

project info:

name: Yayoi House
architect: Takeshi Hosaka Architects | @takeshi_hosaka_official

location: Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan

site area: 202.86 square meters

building area: 120.92 square meters

total floor area: 218.55 square meters

lead architect: Takeshi Hosaka

structure: Kenji Nawa / NAWAKENJI-M

photographer: Noboru Inoue

film: Ryuto Fujii

The post semicircular skylights cast sunbeams across takeshi hosaka’s concrete residence in tokyo appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

concrete isumi villa by takeshi hosaka architects organically spreads over land in japan

Lily Tran — Mon, 19 May 2025 06:45:32 +0000

Takeshi Hosaka builds Linear Villa Beside Isumi River

Isumi Villa is a vacation residence located in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, designed by Takeshi Hosaka Architects. The villa is situated in an open landscape of fields adjacent to the Isumi River, with views extending to surrounding rice paddies and distant mountains. The structure is positioned to function as a visual boundary, framing the landscape and integrating spatially with its natural surroundings.

A defining feature of the villa is a 45-meter-long concrete wall, conceived as a spatial and visual backdrop that emphasizes the surrounding 2,000-square-meter field. This wall not only accommodates the villa’s approximately 100 sqm of interior space but also aligns with the nearby flood wall along the Isumi River, creating a formal dialogue with the site’s topography. The concrete surface, combined with wooden elements, contributes to the building’s integration with the natural setting, reinforcing a material continuity between architecture and ground.

all images by Toreal Koji Fujii

Isumi Villa’s design prioritizes outdoor connectivity

The Takeshi Hosaka Architects team organizes the plan to prioritize outdoor connectivity. Interior zones, such as the kitchen, feature a dirt floor, maintaining permeability between inside and outside. Floor-to-ceiling glass openings support this relationship, enabling direct movement between interior spaces and the field. The tatami-lined living room is arranged for music and movie entertainment with equal orientation to both interior and exterior contexts. The compact bedroom preserves a minimal footprint, intended to evoke the spatial qualities of camping.

Ancillary functions such as a garage, bathroom, and sauna are distributed around the central biotope, accessible through exterior circulation paths. The architectural strategy supports a program centered on outdoor living, with internal functions organized to facilitate continuous visual and physical access to the landscape. The villa’s design emphasizes environmental awareness, spatial openness, and material restraint. Through its siting and formal composition, it frames the surrounding ecological features, including the convergence of river and ocean, as an integral part of the architectural experience.

Isumi Villa sits adjacent to the Isumi River, facing fields and distant mountains

a 45-meter concrete wall frames the landscape as both structure and backdrop

the residence occupies a 2,000 sqm field, integrating into the open site

the architecture prioritizes continuous engagement with the field

the villa’s design creates a visual dialogue with the site’s flood wall

concrete and wood materials establish continuity with the natural terrain

a dirt floor kitchen maintains direct permeability with the outdoors

a compact bedroom references the spatial logic of camping

Tatami-lined living areas face both nature and internal spaces equally

glass openings allow unbroken visual access to the surrounding ecology

spatial planning supports environmental openness and outdoor living

the villa is shaped by topography, environmental awareness, and simplicity

minimal interventions enhance natural views rather than obstructing them

material restraint reflects a balance between form and context

project info:

name: Isumi Villa
architect: Takeshi Hosaka / Takeshi Hosaka Architects | @takeshi_hosaka_official

location: Chiba Prefecture, Japan

area: 98.9 sqm

structure: Nawakenji-m Kenji Nawa

photographer: Toreal Koji Fujii

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

The post concrete isumi villa by takeshi hosaka architects organically spreads over land in japan appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

renovated cemetery plot in japan by takeshi hosaka contains hidden symbolism

philip stevens I designboom — Sat, 19 Sep 2020 04:15:41 +0000

takeshi hosaka architects has renovated a grave within a church cemetery in japan’s kanagawa prefecture. located near the city of yokohama, the relatively large plot occupies 30 square meters (323 square feet). the brief called for a wide, open platform at ground level to perform ceremonies, while a previously existing underground space is to be used as a shared burial chamber where only certain church workers will enter.

all images by koji fujii / toreal | video by takeshi hosaka architects

takeshi hosaka architects began by waterproofing the chamber before adding a platform 65 centimeters (approximately 2 feet) above ground level. 1.85 meters (6 ft) above, supported on three cross-shaped pillars, is the bottom of a cross, which appears as an abstract composition from ground level. ‘since the cross floats horizontally in the air, the grave looks abstract and is impossible to be recognized as a cross from the eye level of the living person,’ explains the design team.

however, from the ground below, or the heavens above, the cross becomes apparent. ‘the cross facing to the heaven makes a large shadow on the graveyard during both the daytime and the full moon night,’ the architects continue. other projects by takeshi hosaka architects include a tiny dwelling for a couple in tokyo and a home with interior balconies. see all of the firm’s projects on designboom here.

1/11

project info:

name: the grave of kamakura yukinoshita church
location: yokohama, kanagawa, japan
site: 28.9 sqm / 311 sqf
function: grave
design: april 2019 – september 2019
beginning of construction: october 2019
completion: may 2020

architect: takeshi hosaka / takeshi hosaka architects
structural engineers: kenji nawa / nawakenji-m
client: kamakura yukinoshita church
photography: koji fujii / toreal
movie: takeshi hosaka architcts

The post renovated cemetery plot in japan by takeshi hosaka contains hidden symbolism appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

takeshi hosaka’s love2 house is a 19 sqm concrete hut for a couple in tokyo

sofia lekka angelopoulou I designboom — Tue, 07 May 2019 11:07:05 +0000

with a total floor area of 19 sqm, the love2 house by takeshi hosaka is a small, compact hut in tokyo that manages to cater to the needs of a couple. the detached, concrete residence incorporates a main frame complete with a round skylight, which ensures enough natural light within the interior throughout the year.

all images by koji fujii nacasa&partners inc

drawing from choumei’s hojyo square (9.18 sqm), and le corbusier’s cabanon cabin (16.85 sqm) in cap martin as examples of architectural constructions under 20 sqm, takeshi hosaka has managed to build the love2 house in a 29.53 sqm plot and within a budget. ‘I wanted to realize in this small house the five elements that made the roman ideal for living in the villa: study, bathing, theater, music, gastronomy,’ explains the japanese architect, who built the house for himself and his partner. ‘every day I go to an open-air bath, enjoy 300 records at a sufficient volume, eat cooked rice in a clay pot, and read a book I like.’

although there is no direct sunlight during the three months of winter, the house’s conical roof concludes in a round opening that brings sufficient light within the space. during summertime, the direct sunlight enters into the interior, reminiscent of southern countries, creating an enjoyable environment.

project info:

name: love2 house

architect: takeshi hosaka architects

location: tokyo, japan

total floor area: 19 sqm

The post takeshi hosaka’s love2 house is a 19 sqm concrete hut for a couple in tokyo appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

takeshi hosaka architects extrudes the balconies of this tokyo house towards the interior

sofia lekka angelopoulou I designboom — Wed, 26 Sep 2018 10:30:45 +0000

takeshi hosaka architects has built a house for a couple and their child in downtown tokyo where windows’ balconies are reversed and extruded towards its interior. the large and small platforms create a feeling of being outside, bringing life into the 73 sqm space and splitting activities in several levels.

photos by koji fujii nacasa&partners inc

located in taito-ku, in the northeastern part of tokyo, the house is enclosed by whitewashed walls, punctuated by windows in different sizes. takeshi hosaka architects has drawn from houses of the surrounding area, where balconies are used as a communication tool amongst neighbors, inverting these platforms to create clusters of social activity within the compact interior.

placed within close distance to each other, the balconies facilitate different functions: the couple’s bedroom and clothes storage, the child’s space, the guest balcony, and the dressing and makeup area. additionally, a small space on the highest level with access to the roof terrace acts as a mini balcony where children can gather and play, another small area with a hammock for reading and sleeping, and a cloth drying balcony on the south side where laundry can be hung out to dry.

The post takeshi hosaka architects extrudes the balconies of this tokyo house towards the interior appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

takeshi hosaka architects bend the concrete floors of byoubugaura

danny hudson I designboom — Sun, 26 Oct 2014 23:00:04 +0000

a regular concrete box and glass facade define the exterior of byoubugaura by japanese practice takeshi hosaka architect, but further observation reveals quite a unique interactive home with unexpected spaces. the home consists of a basement level and two floors above grade- simple in program but complex in structure. the concrete floor plates are drastically curved upwards at the front and rear facades, allowing no direct view into the spaces, which are in reality sunken below the grid established by the structure. no matter which floor you are on, they feel the exact same, blurring the spatial distinction between below and above grade. the design also blocks the site of neighboring structures around the house and instead wooden floors make the house livable and reflect the indirect light seeping in through the walls. four glass panes at each level slide back and forth allowing for a variety open-air configurations. a circular stairway slicing through the bend in the floor plate connects level, exposing a small section of the floor construction.

image © koji fujii / nacasa&partners inc. (also main image)

illustrating the sliding panels
image © koji fujii / nacasa&partners inc.

image © koji fujii / nacasa&partners inc.

1/8

project info:

architect: takeshi hosaka
structural engineers: kenji nawa
photographer: koji fujii / nacasa&pertners inc.
client: toshiyuki kondo
name: byoubugaura house
location: yokohama , japan
construction: reinforced concrete (rc)
site: 65.16 m2
building area: 30.28 m2
floor area ratio: 90.84 m2 ( b1f /30.28 m2 1f /30.28 m2 2f /30.28 m2)
building height: 5494 mm
levels: b1f + 1f+2f
building function: house
design: march 2011 – september 2011
planning start (m/y): march 2011
beginning of construction: september / 2011
completion: spring / 2012

The post takeshi hosaka architects bend the concrete floors of byoubugaura appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

takeshi hosaka curves concrete forms above shonan christ church

trent fredrickson I designboom — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 06:55:45 +0000

in order to create a spatially emotive worship hall, takeshi hosaka architects has composed the ‘shonan christ church’ with curving concrete roof forms separated by banded skylights, resulting in a striking lighting condition. the convex shapes produce a gradient tonality, while bands of direct sunlight accent the space and surfaces. located in the coastal japanese city of fujisawa, the building is a five-minute walk from the shonan sea.

the waving roof line allows for banded skylights above the worship hall
photo by koji fujii nacasa & partners inc (also main image)

the concrete roof is made of six separate forms, which represent the six days of creation as documented in the biblical book of genesis, while the worship space below symbolizes the seventh day.

bands of direct sunlight pass down the church walls to accent the monolithic surfaces
photo by koji fujii nacasa & partners inc

the openings allow for striking lighting conditions as opposed to clear views
photo by koji fujii nacasa & partners inc

the skylights produce a tonal gradient on the convex roof forms
photo by koji fujii nacasa & partners inc

photo by koji fujii nacasa & partners inc

wood interior walls complement the exposed concrete volumes
photo by koji fujii nacasa & partners inc

photo by koji fujii nacasa & partners inc

soft dusk-light creates a cool tone in the evening
photo by koji fujii nacasa & partners inc

1/4

project info:

location: tsujido, fujisawa, kanagawa, japan
area: 176 sqm
architecture: takeshi hosaka architects
photography: koji fujii nacasa & partners inc

The post takeshi hosaka curves concrete forms above shonan christ church appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

takeshi hosaka architects unite residence and restaurant at lapin

trent fredrickson I designboom — Fri, 23 May 2014 16:01:03 +0000

‘lapin’ is a restaurant and house designed by takeshi hosaka architects and located in kofu, japan. the minimalist building is defined by three levels which sequentially step back from the street, producing a terracing gesture with outdoor patios. the monolithic concrete structure embraces its positioning along the arakawa river, with glass walls opening onto each floor’s balcony. the residence occupies the upper two levels, while the restaurant is located on the ground floor, and serves charcoal barbecued french cuisine. the interiors emphasize an orientation toward the river, through a combination of solid side walls and open glass façades.

photo by koji fujii / nacasa & partners inc. (also main image)

the structure steps back from the street, creating a series of terraced patios
photo by koji fujii nacasa & partners inc.

the restaurant is located on the ground floor
photo by koji fujii nacasa & partners inc.

interior spaces emphasize an openness toward the river
photo by koji fujii nacasa & partners inc.

large glass doors slide open to the outdoor patio
photo by koji fujii nacasa & partners inc.

interiors are finished with wood floors and furnishings
photo by koji fujii nacasa & partners inc.

photo by koji fujii nacasa & partners inc.

project info:

location: kofu, yamanashi, japan
completed: 2013
program: restaurant, residence
building area: 117 sqm
photography: koji fujii / nacasa & partners inc

The post takeshi hosaka architects unite residence and restaurant at lapin appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

takeshi hosaka architects: outside in

erika kim I designboom — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 11:20:00 +0000

yokohama-based practice takeshi hosaka architects has shared with us images of ‘outside in’, a single-storey private dwelling for a couple and their three children in yamanashi, japan. situated adjacent to a number of farming fields and a wooded plot to the south, the house seeks to create a subtle gradation from outdoors to indoors, integrating the presence of nature into the living space.

largely undeveloped and lush, the site is home to a great collection of wildlife including pheasants, peafowl and the occasional raccoon dogs. the clients wished for a dwelling that would be porous to the sounds and elements of nature, softly dissolving the spatial boundary between the interior and exterior. the south facade features a collapsible transparent surface that can be completely opened to the woods beyond. interspersedly planted with small trees and shrubs, the partially-sheltered garden space projects natural characteristics of the site into the compounds of the private dwelling.

working to engage with the outdoors in a vertical motion as well as the horizontal, the design utilizes a sawtoothed roof form with strips of acrylic roof lights that secure views of the sky above. the reinforced concrete V beams funnel natural sunlight into the interior, shifting the atmosphere of the house throughout the day. conceived as a series of layers that gradually add more ‘indoor’ elements, the rectangular layout places the private programs such as the bathroom and bedrooms to the north and communal spaces to the south. different materiality in surfaces softly establishes the changing levels of ‘outdoors’ throughout the residence.

project info:

site: 174.48 m2
building area: 102.14 m2
building height: 3.400 m
structural engineers: hirofumi ohno

The post takeshi hosaka architects: outside in appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

takeshi hosaka architects: daylight house

erika kim I designboom — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 09:58:00 +0000

kanagawa-based practice takeshi hosaka architects has sent us images of ‘daylight house’, a two-storey private dwelling for a family of four in yokohama, japan. focusing on the natural illumination of the interior space as the core element of the design, the house utilizes 29 skylights and a system of curved acrylic panels to fill the rooms with daylight.

surrounded by a mix of building typologies ranging from 10-storey condominiums to office buildings, the residence stands on a foundation that is sunken in a storey below the street level. a small set of outdoor staircase reaches a slim garden in the front, creating a private entrance for the inhabitants. wrapped in a skin of metallic panels, the structure acquires an unassuming street facade with no apertures lending views of the domestic space within.

open to a height of two-storeys, the presence of the ceiling is central in the communal space of the house. a grid measuring approximately 1500mm x 1600 mm serves as the basic armature with sheets of curved acrylic resting in between. artificial white light set at equidistant of the skylights exaggerate the illumination from above and are dispersed by the translucent panels. to achieve the ideal effect, a number of mock-ups experimenting with the size of the structure, colour of the acrylic and the finish of the interior panels were developed. the interstitial air space between the acrylic surface and the roof acts as a climate-controlling buffer zone: hot air heated by the sun is ejected during the summer, while in the winter, the layer ensures a stable microclimate.

bedrooms and private studies are compartmentalized in rooms with an open top. featuring large foldable doors, the spaces can be fully incorporated into the main living space or closed off for privacy. a loft level partially sits on top of the children’s bedroom and serves as a neutral platform for multiple functions.

project info:

site: 114.92 m2
building area: 73.60 m2
floor area: 85.04 m2
building height: 5388 mm
storeys: 2
structure: wooden

The post takeshi hosaka architects: daylight house appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.