The project site is just a 5-minute walk from Funabashi Railway Station, located in the Chiba-Tokyo area, near the Keisei elevated railway. Both stations are accessible through a narrow alleyway. Had this metropolitan area developed after the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, Funabashi would have become a key foundational town. Even today, the city continues to grow and expand.
▲ Aerial view
Although the transportation station has been fully modernized and the main north-south road is undergoing maintenance, the surrounding area still features an old-fashioned residential neighborhood. Wooden houses are tightly packed within a dense grid of narrow alleys.
The path leading to the project site is a pedestrian dead-end, connecting several houses and apartment complexes. It fosters daily interactions among local residents, creating a close-knit community atmosphere.
▲ Expanded alleyway
Initially, this alley was not designed to serve as a public space or square. However, since the site is split into two parts by the alley—or more precisely, the site surrounds the alley—we decided to expand the area between the two sections. This new space, named “Roji Park,” transforms the alley into a small square for community use.
▲ General layout plan
▲ Apartment 1
▲ Apartment 2
The alley is two meters wide, and new regulations require new buildings to set back by one meter, expanding the alley to four meters. However, since older buildings remain around the site, the alley currently has an unusual and somewhat inconsistent appearance. Our goal is to create an inviting and spacious environment for the community to enjoy until the alley is fully updated.
▲ Entrance staircase of Apartment 2
▲ Apartment 2 Entrance
▲ Partial exterior wall of Apartment 2
Our vision is to create Roji Park and restore public spaces back to the local community.
Apartment 1 Interior
Apartment 2 Interior
Project Drawings
▲ Plan view
▲ Sectional view
Project Information
Project Type: Apartment
Location: Chiba City, Japan
Architectural Design: SO& CO
Year Completed: 2018
Photographer: Hayato Wakabayashi
Lead Architect: So Teruuchi
Design Team: Masafumi Koyama (1st)
Project Consultant: EN PARTNERS
Structural Engineer: Frameworks
Contractor: shinkenchikukoubo (Building 1), Daisaku (Building 2)
Total Construction Area: 183.96 m² (Building 1), 142.29 m² (Building 2)
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