House in Koyoen

A residence built among retaining walls and sloped streets

Date

November 4, 2025

Tomohiro Hata Architect and Associates designed House in Koyoen for a site in Koyoen, Japan, where retaining walls and winding roads define the neighborhood. The area developed over time through successive construction, leaving walls of varying ages that shape how residents move through the terrain.

The house uses wooden arches arranged back to back in cross-shaped columns. These repeated structural elements create an open frame that responds to the site's multiple levels and directions. The small wooden members assemble into a larger system that connects to the surrounding slopes and pathways rather than standing separate from them.

The structure's multi-directional framework extends space beyond the building's footprint. By aligning with the roads and retaining walls, the house integrates with Koyoen's layered topography instead of imposing a single orientation onto the sloped site.

Designer/Studio

Tomohiro Hata Architect & Associates

Tomohiro Hata Architect & Associates is a critically acclaimed Kobe-based firm specializing in architecture, urban design, and furniture. Led by Tomohiro Hata, our innovative work has earned major international honors, including the JIA Rookie Award. We accept projects globally.

Photo Credits

Tomohiro Hata Architect and Associates