“House in Nishizaki by Studio Cochi Architects: Creating an Urban Oasis in Okinawa”

Located on reclaimed land in a newly developed residential district south of Okinawa’s main island, the House in Nishizaki by Studio Cochi Architects (2023) is a 91 m² residence designed for a family of three. Lead architect Toshiyuki Igarashi, in collaboration with RGB Structure and builder Nansei Corporation, envisioned a home that balances the dense urban environment with Okinawa’s unique natural setting, offering a serene retreat while embracing sustainable living principles. Photographs by Ooki Jingu capture the architectural finesse and spatial storytelling of this compact yet thoughtfully planned home.

Contextual Design in a Densely Built Neighborhood

The site is surrounded by a dynamic mix of urban elements: residential clusters, commercial zones, industrial parks, schools, sports facilities, and fishing ports. To the north lies a quiet residential area, while the south faces a bustling commercial stretch across a major highway. Adjacent east and west plots contain closely spaced homes, characteristic of Okinawa’s dense urban fabric, where vacancy rates in residential zones are rising.

Within this complex urban landscape, the architects faced the challenge of creating a private sanctuary that shields its occupants from noise and visual intrusion while embracing natural light and ventilation. Typhoon resilience and disaster preparedness were also crucial considerations in the design, given Okinawa’s annual exposure to severe weather.

Spatial Organization: Privacy and Connection

The house employs a rectangular plan to optimize site utilization while strategically organizing public and private areas. Public rooms, including the living, dining, and a tatami parlor, are located on the first floor to maintain a subtle connection with the surrounding urban context. In contrast, bedrooms and bathrooms are situated on the second floor for enhanced privacy.

The home features north-south aligned courtyards and skylights, which enhance natural light penetration and cross ventilation. A northern courtyard serves as a buffer, offering visual relief from neighboring properties and creating a peaceful outdoor space that gradually connects residents to the cityscape.

Courtyards, Buffers, and Interior Flow

The integration of southern and northern buffer zones ensures a nuanced separation from urban noise. The southern courtyard, adjacent to the staircase room, reinforces privacy and tranquility for both the courtyard and living areas. The staircase itself is designed as a dimly lit, spacious transitional zone, allowing flexible use as a secondary seating or storage area.

Inside, the connected living area and tatami parlor create an expansive sense of space, maximizing interior sightlines while maintaining functional zoning. By carefully balancing light, airflow, and visual permeability, the house accommodates daily life comfortably, even in a densely populated neighborhood.

Craftsmanship and Sustainable Design

A notable feature of the House in Nishizaki is the extensive use of locally crafted furniture and fittings, produced in the architects’ own workshop. This approach reduces reliance on imported materials, highlights Okinawan craftsmanship, and reinforces the home’s ethos of sustainability and localized construction.

By employing multi-dimensional buffers, harnessing natural ventilation, and emphasizing bespoke craftsmanship, Studio Cochi Architects have created an urban oasis in Okinawa: a harmonious blend of privacy, light, and spatial serenity.

All photographs are works of  Ooki Jingu