Maniera Architect & Associates

The site is situated along the riverbank of Shukugawa in Nishinomiya, lined with pine groves, creating a beautiful setting when combined with cherry blossoms in spring.
Opposite the riverbank lies the single-track railway line of the Hankyu Koyo Line, where trains become part of the scenery. With no obstructions to the east or west, it offers a splendid location.

The owner requested a space with a solid structure and a sense of materiality, avoiding an overly modern aesthetic.The ground floor entrance hall doubles as a kitchen café for the lady of the house, who has many friends.

The design creates a fundamentally visible yet private environment by establishing a frontage facing the road as a lush open space incorporating parking and an approach.The exterior walls are finished entirely in exposed concrete, while the roof is gabled, spanning over H-beam girders. This combination of concrete and H-beam creates a dynamic impression.

Internally, the space is defined by the expansive pine grove along the Shukugawa riverbank to the east, the Hankyu Railway tracks to the west, and two north-south courtyards on the western side. These courtyards act as privacy buffers, creating ambiguous transitional spaces between interior and exterior.

This dwelling, intertwined with the owner's journey, has etched profound memories. It will continue to gently envelop its inhabitants, offering respite and nourishment that transcends the passage of time.