Motoyasu Muramatsu Architects

Lichtbrick
This is a nine-unit apartment block situated close to Ring Road No. 7 in Tokyo.
It allows residents to enjoy the subtle changes in light throughout the seasons whilst maintaining their individual privacy.
We have designed a space that allows residents to fully appreciate the joys of urban living.

Although the site is close to Ring Road No. 7, we sought to create a light-filled, open living environment where residents can live without being bothered by the noise of passing cars or the gaze of passers-by.
On a rectangular site extending east to west, a simple rectangular floor plan is arranged, with three units on each of the three storeys. The covered communal corridor and external staircase are compactly situated on the north side.

Facing the road to the west, we have incorporated as much planting as possible around the approach. This harmonises with the light tones of the exterior walls, lending the building a soft, ever-changing expression that shifts with the light and breeze.
Passing through a clump of Japanese hackberry trees swaying in the breeze and entering the entrance, one arrives in a compact yet three-storey atrium space. The large opening on the north side and the east-facing opening at the top of the staircase not only create a sense of elevation but also draw calm, bright light and a refreshing breeze into the interior.
As one ascends the stairs on the way to the residential units, one casually encounters the surrounding landscape framed by the large openings and can sense the daily changes in light and weather.
The ground-floor dwellings comprise two units where the wet areas are grouped on one side and the living spaces are kept as simple rectangular spaces as possible, and one unit that extends lengthwise from north to south. The south-facing opening overlooks a garden planted with bright-leaved groundcover that blooms with charming blue flowers in early spring.
The units on the second and third floors facing the road to the west draw in the expansive external landscape through a series of horizontal windows running continuously from the living area to the kitchen. Combined with the light and breeze entering through the vertical openings on the south side, this creates an atmosphere that blends a sense of secure enclosure with a refreshing sense of openness.
The south-facing units on the second and third floors feature an L-shaped layout with a balcony situated in a recessed section of the external wall. Despite the limited floor area, this design allows the bedroom and living areas to be both connected and distinct, introducing variety into daily life. From the living area, one can gaze out at the expansive scenery through a large opening set into the recessed section of the exterior. The serene bedroom, which draws in refreshing light and air through its tall, vertical openings, can be freely divided into separate spaces or joined together to form a single room using sliding doors.

Care has been taken to ensure that water heaters, air conditioning outdoor units and other such equipment are kept as hidden as possible from the outside.
The openings and lighting plan have been carefully designed so that the gentle warmth of life within spills outwards, enhancing the beauty of the nightscape.

Building Specifications
Principal Use: Residential Block
Site Area: 206.97 m²
Building Footprint: 132.35 m²
Total Floor Area: 334.54 m²
Scale: 3 storeys above ground
Structure: Reinforced concrete