House and Office in Hokusetsu by FujiwaraMuro Architects: A Bold Exploration in Concrete Residential Architecture

A Harmonious Coexistence of Living and Working Spaces in Osaka

Situated in the scenic Hokusetsu region of Osaka, Japan, FujiwaraMuro Architects have redefined concrete residential architecture with their innovative House and Office project. Designed for a family that values transparency, natural views, and the integration of daily life with work, this 91 m² home explores the architectural potential of exposed concrete in a layered and responsive form.

The Concrete Tube: Structure as Spatial Narrative

At the core of the project is a concrete tube—a bold, sculptural gesture that defines the house’s architectural language. Instead of concealing concrete with insulation or cladding, the architects chose to celebrate it on both the exterior and interior. This decision not only reinforces material honesty but also forms a protective yet open shell for the second-floor living, dining, and kitchen (LDK) area.

The tube opens up entirely to the tree-lined street, allowing the interiors to engage with the outside world while maintaining a sense of enclosure. Light and breeze are introduced through a transitional layer that separates the concrete shell from the enclosed ground-floor private rooms, establishing a dynamic interplay of views, ventilation, and privacy.

Blurring Boundaries: Living Inside a Floating Mass

The structure appears to float above the base, achieved by lifting the concrete volume and tucking the lower level behind aluminum-clad walls. This contrast in materiality—brutalist concrete above and sleek aluminum below—amplifies the weightlessness of the upper volume while maintaining the grounded presence of the base.

The design also addresses the site's elevation change of two meters. By removing part of the existing retaining wall, the architects carved out space for a garage and an underground office, efficiently utilizing the site’s topography without compromising on aesthetics or utility.

Interior Zones with Framed Views and Controlled Privacy

The ground floor houses four private rooms: two look out toward the urban greenway, while the other two open onto the in-between layer, where the exposed concrete walls provide visual drama and a sense of tactile enclosure. These differentiated orientations offer varied spatial experiences—views for reflection, and buffers for retreat.

The second-floor communal zone is open and light-filled, thanks to the uninterrupted concrete frame and strategic openings. The tube acts like a visual funnel, focusing attention on the tree-lined streetscape beyond while minimizing exposure to passing pedestrians.

Environmental and Spatial Efficiency Through Architecture

Beyond aesthetic daring, the concrete shell contributes to thermal comfort and energy efficiency. By elevating and enclosing the living space within concrete, the design mitigates the harshness of summer heat and winter chill. Simultaneously, the strategic layering ensures cross-ventilation and ample daylighting without compromising on acoustic or visual privacy.

The contrast between openness and protection, raw material and refined detailing, results in a home that is both expressive and performative—a hallmark of successful concrete residential architecture.

A Dual-Purpose Dwelling with Lasting Impact

This house-office hybrid embodies the contemporary shift toward integrated lifestyles—where professional and personal realms coexist within a compact yet emotionally rich framework. With this project, FujiwaraMuro Architects offer not just a dwelling, but an architectural thought-piece: a place that investigates how form, material, and everyday life can seamlessly intersect within a minimal footprint.

All photographs are works of Katsuya. Taira (studioREM)