Shoji-Inspired Japanese House Design in Minato-ku by FujiwaraMuro Architects

A Traditional Aesthetic Reimagined in Modern Urban Japan

FujiwaraMuro Architects has masterfully redefined Shoji-inspired Japanese house design with their latest project—an intimate 65 m² private lodging in Minato-ku, Osaka. Situated along a major street, the narrow site presents both a challenge and an opportunity to explore spatial layering, cultural motifs, and architectural storytelling through the lens of contemporary Japanese design.

The Shoji Concept as Architectural Language

At the heart of the project is the shoji screen—a traditional Japanese element made of wood lattice and translucent paper. Here, it becomes more than just a material detail; it forms the conceptual backbone of the entire house. From the exterior, a glowing “floating shoji box” rises above the streetscape, evoking the quiet elegance of a lantern. This architectural feature is not only a visual anchor but also sets the tone for the sequence of experiences that unfold inside.

The client’s request was specific: they wanted a space that reflected the spirit of traditional Japanese architecture. FujiwaraMuro responded with subtlety and sophistication, translating the tea room aesthetic and engawa-style transitions into a modern vertical home.

Entering Through Layers of Nature and Light

Approached via a bamboo and stone garden, the entry experience begins with a soft encounter with nature. The first floor opens into a small garden-adjacent entrance hall. A private room appears to float above this space, accessible by a veranda-like landing that recalls the calm and transitional qualities of engawa.

This spatial layering continues throughout the home. A split-level design allows for shifting perspectives between rooms. Each floor is organized around central stairs that spiral alongside interior gardens, creating vertical continuity through views, light, and greenery.

Vertical Living Rooted in Tradition

On the second floor, the living room features traditional tatami flooring, again anchored by a small garden that offers a calming presence. From here, an elevated dining kitchen overlooks the living room and garden through the central stair void. This open-plan format ensures that the traditional elements remain integral, even in a highly functional urban layout.

The design promotes visual dialogue across floors. From the dining area, one can see the third-floor shoji box above, while also being grounded in the meditative calm of the living room below.

The Floating Shoji Box: A Lantern in the Night

The architectural climax is reached on the third floor, where the “floating shoji box” becomes fully realized. Inside this illuminated volume, a bathroom and indoor garden create a tranquil, spa-like experience. The use of natural materials, indirect lighting, and open-air bathing elements gives a sense of openness within intimacy.

A secondary private room on the upper level of the third floor connects seamlessly to a rooftop balcony. The sloped ceiling curves gently upward, and large movable shoji partitions allow the entire top floor to be opened or closed, depending on the mood or use. At night, the entire box glows softly from within—an homage to the traditional Japanese lantern, reinterpreted in architectural scale.

Modern Shoji House as Urban Sanctuary

This project demonstrates how deeply ingrained elements of Japanese tradition—shoji screens, gardens, engawa, tatami—can be interwoven with modern spatial strategies. In this Shoji-inspired Japanese house design, FujiwaraMuro Architects offer not just a private lodging but a deeply atmospheric experience of space, light, and materiality.

Despite its modest size and narrow footprint, the house achieves a remarkable sense of spaciousness and complexity through split levels, layered views, and garden integration. It becomes a contemplative retreat in the heart of Osaka—timeless, elegant, and unmistakably Japanese.

All Photographs are works of Katsuya Taira（studioREM）