Located in front of the train station in central Tokyo, the North Garden offers a welcoming atmosphere of tranquility, comfort, and sunshine.
The site is adjacent to a train station in Meguro-ku, Tokyo, bordered by an elevated railway to the east and a neighboring building to the west. To the north, beyond the road, lies a forest—one of the few green spaces visible around the station. From this forest, you can catch distant views of Shibuya City and Shinjuku Ward.
This two-family house features a clinic on the first floor, with each of the upper floors dedicated to a separate family. The design incorporates three distinct gardens, each with its own unique character.
Upon entering the clinic’s entrance on the first floor, visitors are greeted by a garden filled with deciduous trees and stones. Looking upward reveals a clear sky, as the trees cleverly conceal the neighboring structures. This design evokes the feeling of visiting a single-story building, offering a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere instead of an imposing one.
The second floor is home to the grandmother. To shield her living space from train noise and nearby buildings, a courtyard garden is enclosed by six-meter-high walls facing south. The courtyard’s exterior walls are finished with rough paint or wooden boards, which help diffuse sound reflections and create a quieter environment.
The third floor primarily serves a young family. Facing the expansive forest to the north, with views extending to Shibuya and Shinjuku, a spacious open area and terrace were designed. However, to reduce noise from trains and neighboring buildings, the terrace was enclosed with a partition wall and a deep eave. This solution, while effective, also casts shadows onto the forest.
To maximize natural light entering the forest, the building’s edges were rounded. This creates an interior cave-like space that envelops occupants, providing a sense of security. From a technical standpoint, the rounded shape improves sky visibility and reduces the imposing appearance of the building when viewed from the street.
△ General layout plan
△ First floor plan
△ Second floor plan
△ Third floor plan
Project Information
Project type: Mixed-use building with clinic and standalone residences
Location: Japan
Designer: IKAWAYA Architects
Area: 452 m²
Year: 2020
Photographer: Akinobu Kawabe
Lead Architect: IKAWAYA Architects
Design Team: Atsushi Ikawa, Jin Kitazawa, Yuki Imada
Structural Engineer: yAt Structural Design Office
Mechanical & Electrical Engineers: Zo Consulting Engineers
Landscape Consultant: SOLSO
Construction: EIKO Construction
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