The project site is conveniently located just a 5-minute walk from Funabashi Railway Station, situated in Chiba, Tokyo, near the Keisei elevated track. These two transit stations are accessible through a narrow alley. Had this metropolitan area developed after the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, Funabashi would have played a key foundational role, and it continues to grow today.
▲ Aerial View
Despite the complete modernization of the transit station and ongoing maintenance of the main north-south road, the area surrounding the site remains an old-fashioned residential neighborhood. Wooden houses are densely packed within a tight grid of narrow alleys.
The road leading to our project site is a pedestrian dead end, connecting several houses and apartment complexes. It serves as a communal space where neighbors regularly interact.
▲ Expanded Alleyway
Originally, this alleyway was not designed to function as a public space similar to a square. However, since our site is divided into two parts by the alleyway—more precisely, the site surrounds it—we saw an opportunity. We expanded the space between the two parts to create what we call ‘Roji Park,’ transforming the alleyway into a small public square.
▲ General Layout Plan
▲ Apartment 1
▲ Apartment 2
The alley is currently two meters wide, but new regulations require newly built houses to set back one meter, effectively widening the alley to four meters. However, some older buildings remain around the site, giving the alley a unique and somewhat irregular appearance. Our goal is to create a spacious, welcoming environment for everyone 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 as a communal public space that enriches the neighborhood and fosters community connection.
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: 2018
Photographer: Hayato Wakabayashi
Lead Architect: So Teruuchi
Design Team: Masafumi Koyama (1st)
Project Consultant: EN PARTNERS
Structural Engineer: Frameworks
Contractors: shinkenchikukoubo (Building 1), Daisaku (Building 2)
Total Construction Area: 183.96 m² (Building 1), 142.29 m² (Building 2)
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