This Fukasawa Residence Honors Japanese Timber Traditions on a Narrow Plot

Posted on 19/12/2025 by Srishti Mitra

In the quiet residential enclave of Fukasawa, south-west Tokyo, narrow plots and intimate streetscapes create an architectural character that feels worlds away from the metropolitan sprawl surrounding it. This area, bearing the name of renowned designer Naoto Fukasawa, who made it his home, carries a quaint charm reminiscent of older Japanese shopping streets. Within this context, architecture firm MIDW has completed a striking residence that reinterprets traditional building methods for contemporary living.

The house occupies a slender plot measuring just 2.73 metres in width and 13.65 metres in depth. Rather than viewing these proportions as limitations, MIDW embraced them as design opportunities. The structure is defined by six truss-shaped load-bearing walls, their beams spanning gracefully between evenly spaced columns to create a rhythmic structural language that anchors the entire composition.

Designer: MIDW

Daisuke Hattori, co-chairman and managing architect of MIDW, explains the conceptual foundation. The firm frequently draws from local construction techniques, particularly the traditional Japanese timber post-and-beam system. This method, built through the assembly of linear wooden members, offers both structural integrity and visual refinement. It remains among Japan’s most enduring building approaches, balancing flexibility with aesthetic clarity. The Fukasawa residence presents a contemporary dialogue with this heritage. The structural framework isn’t hidden behind finishes or treated as mere utility. Instead, it takes centre stage as a defining architectural element, echoing the exposed timber construction found in historic shrines and temples across Japan. This approach transforms structural necessity into spatial poetry.

Entering the home, visitors encounter a slightly sunken floor plane that marks the transition from street to sanctuary. From this entry point, a carefully choreographed sequence of spaces begins to reveal itself. Light and shadow play across surfaces as one moves through the narrow depth of the plot. A straight staircase draws the eye upward, leading to the upper level where the spatial experience opens considerably.

The upper floor presents a broad, generous volume animated by the repetitive cadence of exposed timber beams. These structural elements create a calming visual rhythm that organizes the space while celebrating the material honesty of wood construction. The beams don’t merely support; they define the character and atmosphere of the interior.

Working within Tokyo’s dense urban fabric presented challenges beyond just dimensional constraints. Material choices and design gestures required careful consideration. Yet MIDW approached the project not as a problem to solve but as an opportunity to develop universal design principles rooted in specific site conditions. The result is a home that feels both distinctly of its place and timelessly resonant, proving that constraint often breeds the most compelling creativity.

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The World’s New Tallest Timber Skyscraper With 55 Floors Is Set To Be Constructed In The US

Posted on 29/08/2024 by Srishti Mitra

Designed by Micheal Green Architecture (MGA) has unveiled plans for an aspiring and ambitious construction in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The project is intended to be the world’s tallest timber skyscraper once it is completed! The founder of MGA is a trailblazing pioneer of modern timber construction and has worked fervently to popular large wooden structures in Northern America. This unnamed skyscraper is their next upcoming project, and it is sure to break some boundaries in the arena of timber-based architecture.

Designer: Micheal Green Architecture (MGA)

Currently, we are unaware of the exact height of the structure, but the firm has proclaimed that it will include around 55 floors. Presently, the world’s tallest timber building is also in Milwaukee, but it only features 25 floors, so the upcoming skyscraper will be much taller. The building will include ample greenery and multiple terrace areas.

“The proposed development represents a significant investment of over US$700 million, encompassing multiple mixed-use buildings,” said MGA. “The project, planned in several phases, could include up to 750 residential units, 190,000 square feet [roughly 17,600 sq m] of office space, 40,000 square feet [3,700 sq m] of retail space, 300 hotel rooms, parking spaces, and vibrant public plazas and walkways. MGA, renowned for its leadership in mass timber architecture, will spearhead the design efforts, supported by an experienced team including HGA, Gehl People, C.D. Smith, and Thornton Tomasetti.”

We aren’t sure if the skyscraper will include any concrete in its construction, but considering its height, we do believe some concrete would be included. People may have concerns that a wooden skyscraper could easily catch fire like a tinderbox, but unlike traditional lumber, modern mass timber is a pretty strong and sturdy wooden beam that can withstand fire even better than steel, on account of the way it chars, doesn’t fully burn.

The post The World’s New Tallest Timber Skyscraper With 55 Floors Is Set To Be Constructed In The US first appeared on Yanko Design.

Raised On Stilts, This Wooden Home Features An Interesting Elevated Layout

Posted on 17/06/2024 by Srishti Mitra

Designed by Argentinian architectural studio Berson-Sardin, the Case Libélula is located in the Delta Río Paraná. It is a stunning home occupying 95 sq m and is inspired by the lovely elegance of a dragonfly. The home is raised on stilt-like pilings, which look like the legs of a dragonfly! The home has been elevated to provide protection against frequent flooding. It was built using local traditional construction techniques, which have been used by the people of the area for ages galore. The dwelling was constructed using mainly wood while allowing it to merge with the surrounding landscape. The floorplan of the home is a contemporary take on the local architectural style, exhibiting a new geometric design.

Designer: Berson-Sardin

The home is formed like a massive shaded gallery featuring outward-opening glass facades which convert the indoor space into a cool, and well-regulated area. This design supports cross-ventilation and shading, ensuring that the interiors are always cool irrespective of the weather outside. The home doesn’t utilize synthetic paints and varnishes, in fact, the wooden elements are untreated, allowing them to age naturally. Some of the wooden elements have also been charred to ensure future maintenance isn’t required.

The Casa Libélula includes three interconnected volumes. The bigger volume contains the public spaces like the living room, kitchen, and dining room, while the smaller volumes include the private spaces such as the bedrooms. These different sections feature a cladding of charred wood planks, and they’re all connected via a glass-walled entrance hall. This unique design offers privacy, by projecting the bedrooms ahead, closing them off from the public eye.

The home also includes an ascending and descending platform system which forms an intriguing and dynamic architectural promenade. This promenade moves through the entire home. It starts at the dock and follows a diagonal route that interconnects the ends of the home. These interesting platforms provide different views of the house and the landscape. The three massive volumes team up with this system perfectly, serving as lookout points that can be used for meditation, stargazing, and watching sunsets.