Stairway House by Nendo

Stairway House is a two-family house located in a quiet residential area of Tokyo, Japan, recently redesigned by Nendo.

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About Stairway House

Tokyo Two-Family Retreat: Harmonizing Design and Nature

Nestled in Tokyo’s serene suburb, a two-family home emerges. Surrounded by a sea of neighboring houses and apartments, the architects cleverly nudged the building’s footprint northward. Consequently, this strategic move welcomed daylight, ventilation, and verdant views from a grand southern glass façade.

Preserving Nature and Memories

Amazingly, the design preserved an existing persimmon tree—cherished by previous generations. With concerns about potential mobility challenges, they positioned the older couple’s rooms on the 1st floor. This placement also grants the family’s eight cats a delightful indoor-outdoor freedom. Moreover, it inspires the matriarch to immerse herself in gardening, her cherished hobby.

Multigenerational Living: Close, Yet Independent

The younger couple and their offspring claim the 2nd and 3rd floors as their domain. However, to prevent complete isolation between the two living spaces, a unique “stairway-like” structure emerges in the south yard. Ascending through the home, this feature intersects all three levels.

A Functional and Aesthetic Stairway

This isn’t just any stairway. Within it lie essential components like bathrooms and a practical staircase. Above, the design morphs into a semi-outdoor greenhouse—lush and bathed in sunlight. Here, the cats revel in a vertical playground, basking in the sun.

Connecting Generations and Spaces

The stairway does more than just connect floors; it bridges generations. It subtly intertwines the lives of all occupants, fostering a comforting sense of togetherness. Beyond linking interiors with the yard or merging households, this feature aspires to a grander purpose. It stretches towards the city, meeting the southward road on ground level and soaring skyward through a captivating toplight.

Photography courtesy of Nendo

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- by Matt Watts

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