Nakano House / KUMA & ELSA

Key Takeaways:

• The design draws on a traditional Japanese house fitted with an engawa.
• The client sought to replicate the sensory experiences of grass and seasonal scents.
• The apartment stands about fifteen meters above ground level, open to the sky.
• The project is by KUMA & ELSA, highlighting modern design inspired by tradition.
• Fukuoka’s regional context informs the residence’s cultural and architectural aesthetic.

A Childhood Memory Revisited

The client’s early years were spent in a traditional Japanese house featuring an engawa—a gallery open to the garden. “There, she was immersed in the scent of fresh grass, the fragrances of the seasons, and even the smells drifting from his neighbors’ kitchens,” recalls the original account. This vivid recollection became the driving force behind the new apartment’s design philosophy.

Elevating the Traditional Engawa

While an engawa is customarily positioned at ground level, the client desired to “recreate that memory, this time in an apartment fifteen meters above the ground.” The challenge for KUMA & ELSA was to preserve the essence of a traditional engawa—connectedness to one’s surroundings—in a modern space elevated high above bustling city streets.

Designing for the Senses

The residence is carefully configured to invite light, air, and seasonal shifts, echoing the calm and openness of the client’s childhood home. “We therefore imagined a house open to the sky,” the design team states. By exposing living spaces to ample natural elements, the architects honor the simplicity of an engawa while embracing contemporary urban living.

Nakano House in Context

Set in Fukuoka, the Nakano House leverages local architectural and cultural influences. Besides referencing traditional housing patterns, the design also incorporates modern materials. This interplay of old and new showcases how memories can guide innovation, blending heartfelt nostalgia with present-day conveniences.

Bringing Nature Closer

Despite being perched well above ground, the apartment encourages its dweller to experience nature’s subtle rhythms each day, from the shifting sun to the soft breezes that slip through open windows. The result is an uplifting, restorative environment that marries the best of Japanese tradition with forward-thinking architecture, all in a home “open to the sky.”