Nishisando Terrace Apartment

Nishisando Terrace Apartment

Nishisando Terrace Apartment is an innovative architectural masterpiece located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan, completed in 2016 and recognized with the prestigious Golden A' Design Award in Architecture, Building and Structure Design category. This sophisticated residential complex comprises four three-story townhouse-style units thoughtfully arranged near the midtown area, showcasing a harmonious blend of contemporary design and traditional Japanese architectural elements. The structure's most distinctive feature is its cedar lattice exterior, which serves multiple functions: enhancing privacy, regulating internal temperature through controlled sunlight exposure, and preventing building degradation. The design employs a sophisticated spiral three-dimensional construction methodology, connecting different levels of private gardens, individual rooms, and stair halls within a simple squared plan, maximizing spatial efficiency and creating an organic flow throughout the building. With a total floor area of 481.06 square meters on a 353.10-square-meter site, the project demonstrates exceptional space utilization through its reinforced concrete and wooden structure. The architecture is particularly noteworthy for its innovative approach to urban living, featuring common spaces with lush greenery that maintain appropriate distances between units while incorporating private gardens that receive filtered sunlight through the lattice work. The design's emphasis on natural material aging, particularly the cedar boards' color evolution over time, ensures the building's organic integration with its urban surroundings, while its carefully controlled proportions and thoughtful spatial arrangement create an environment that rivals the spaciousness and comfort of detached housing.

residential architecture, sustainable design, urban living, Japanese contemporary architecture, cedar lattice facade, private garden integration

— Adam Dawson