Building Frame of the House by IGArchitects: A Minimalist and Flexible Urban Home

A Revolutionary Approach to Urban Living

IGArchitects has redefined compact urban architecture with the Building Frame of the House, a project that seamlessly integrates living and working spaces within a single, open-plan structure. Located in Japan, this 60m² residence embodies a modern, minimalist aesthetic while ensuring adaptability for its inhabitants. Designed for a married couple who blend personal and professional life, this home prioritizes spatial fluidity over traditional compartmentalization.

The Concept: A House as a Frame

At its core, the Building Frame of the House challenges conventional residential design by eliminating interior partitions. Instead, the structure itself—comprised of exposed beams, staggered floors, and open shelving—functions as an organizer of space. The result is a large-volume, breathable living environment that fosters both connectivity and privacy without rigid separations.

This architectural approach aligns with contemporary urban living trends, where compact spaces must be both versatile and efficient. Rather than confining activities to designated rooms, the house allows its residents to dynamically interact with the space, creating an organic flow between work, leisure, and domestic life.

Structural Design and Materiality

Designed by Masato Igarashi of IGArchitects, with engineering by Yousuke Misaki EQSD, the house employs a reinforced concrete frame that ensures both strength and flexibility. The steelwork, executed by KAMO CRAFT, contributes to the structure’s industrial yet warm aesthetic.

A notable design element is the misalignment of three primary walls and seven floor slabs, which are positioned at varying heights and depths. This staggered arrangement introduces:

• Visual and spatial depth
• Natural ventilation and daylighting
• Dynamic, multi-functional surfaces that double as shelves, seating, or workstations

By offsetting walls and carefully positioning openings, the house achieves a delicate balance between privacy and openness, ensuring that light and airflow penetrate the interiors without exposing the living spaces to neighboring properties.

Light, Ventilation, and Spatial Experience

Despite its urban location, the Building Frame of the House maximizes natural light through a strategic design that eliminates south-facing openings while embracing indirect illumination from the north. The angled northern wall serves multiple functions:

• Creates a gradual transition to an adjacent vacant lot
• Allows ample daylight penetration throughout the day
• Enhances a sense of seasonal and temporal awareness

As one moves deeper into the house, the spaces become more intimate and functional, with the kitchen and bathroom positioned in the rear. The front-facing sections open dramatically, almost dissolving the boundary between indoor and outdoor environments. In a city where gardens and balconies are a luxury, this design transforms interior spaces into semi-exterior environments when fully opened.

A Home Without Defined Boundaries

Rather than assigning rigid functions to specific areas, the home’s staggered levels enable a flexible interpretation of space. Each floor segment serves multiple purposes, transforming into:

• Seating areas
• Tables
• Storage units
• Workstations

This interplay of levels ensures that no square meter is wasted, reinforcing the idea that compact living can still be expansive. The human-scale staircases, integrated furniture, and multi-level circulation create an experience that is both practical and enriching.

A New Model for Urban Housing

The Building Frame of the House is more than an architectural statement—it is a manifestation of contemporary urban realities. By embracing spatial fluidity, structural integrity, and natural elements, IGArchitects has created a home that is both efficient and poetic. This project stands as a model for how small-scale housing can still foster a sense of openness and adaptability in densely populated environments.

All the Photographs are works of Ooki Jingu