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
Photo Credits
Tomohiro Hata Architect and Associates





















Up next
K2 House
Taketo Shimohigoshi's K2 House in Tokyo uses two galvanized metal volumes separated by a courtyard. Sunken lounge, tatami room, and spiral stair connect open living spaces.
Read MoreCasa M
Felipe Hess renovated Casa M in São Paulo, removing walls and adding a white metal structure that connects half-levels from pool to rooftop. Exposed concrete and expanded outdoor space.
Read More