Corte Apartment Complex, The site is situated between an alley and a shopping street. Despite the presence of low-rise buildings on the alley side, a 10-story apartment complex is currently under construction on the adjacent lot, while super high-rise condominiums are being erected behind it.
© Masao Nishikawa
The landscape of the area is constantly evolving. Maintaining the alleys in their current state proves impractical from perspectives of disaster prevention and land utilization. Conversely, entirely replacing them with super high-rise structures risks erasing the unique essence of the locality. Is it feasible to preserve certain aspects of the alley while acknowledging the varying scale of buildings on either side of the site?
© Masao Nishikawa
To shift focus towards the alley, we opted to position the entrances to the residences and the sub-entrances of the stores there. Subsequently, we chose to create side apertures between the residential units on each floor to enhance the illumination and ventilation of the east corridor, which suffers from inadequate lighting and ventilation due to the imposing wall of the adjacent building. However, aligning the horizontal apertures vertically resulted in an overly spacious atrium on the exterior, disproportionate to the alley’s scale. Additionally, the scattered horizontal apertures, offset only at the top and bottom, proved ineffective in adequately illuminating the hallway.
© Masao Nishikawa
Hence, in order to establish a vertical linkage within the structure while maintaining harmony with the external surroundings, we opted to integrate both straight and curved horizontal apertures. This approach allows us to preserve the scale of the exterior while enhancing internal connectivity. Moreover, by facilitating a point of interaction between the individual dwellings and communal spaces, such as incorporating balconies reminiscent of those found in alley homes, we can foster a seamless connection with the external environment. This continuity extends beyond mere visual perspectives.
Project Info
Architects: Hiroyuki Ito Architects
Country: Japan
Area: 877 m²
Year: 2019
Photographs: Masao Nishikawa
Design Team: Hiroyuki Ito, Munenori Shibata, Kota Ishii
Contractor: Sanyu Keusetsu
Madeline Brooks is a Projects Editor at Arch2O, where she has been shaping and refining architectural content since March 2024. With over a decade of experience in editorial work, she has curated, revised, and published an array of projects covering architecture, urbanism, and public space design. A graduate of the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, Madeline brings a strong academic foundation and a discerning editorial eye to each piece she oversees. Since joining Arch2O, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the platform’s editorial direction, with a focus on sustainability, social relevance, and cutting-edge design. Madeline excels at translating complex architectural ideas into clear, engaging stories that resonate with both industry professionals and general readers. She works closely with architects, designers, and global contributors to ensure every project is presented with clarity, depth, and compelling visual narrative. Her editorial leadership continues to elevate Arch2O’s role in global architectural dialogue.