European-Inspired Charm: A Cozy & Aesthetic 43m² Home in a Dense Neighborhood

House in Shukugawa
Architects: Arbol, Ashitaka Architect Atelier
Area: 43 m²
Year: 2024
Photographs: Yasunori Shimomura, O Kato
Lead Architects: Yousaku Tsutsumi
General Contractors: Minoru Construction Company
Landscape Architects: Ogino Toshiya landscape design
Lighting Consultants: Daiko Electric, Daiko Electric Company Limited
Lighting Consultant: Kazuhiko Hanai
Engineering And Consulting: Hidekatsu Takada
City: Nishinomiya
Country: Japan

Located on a small flagpole-shaped lot in the dense residential area of Nishinomiya, Japan, the House in Shukugawa by Arbol and Ashitaka Architect Atelier presents a poetic and intelligent design solution. With limited access to light and privacy, the house is closed off from the outside but opens inward through a courtyard that serves as the main source of natural light. The interior adopts a European-inspired aesthetic, with compact yet efficient spatial planning. Its central feature—a domed hall—creates a warm, inclusive, and visually striking social space. Through thoughtful use of light, texture, and curved forms, the design gives a sense of spaciousness, making this house a compelling example of maximizing small plots with elegance and creativity.