N Apartment is a plan for a five-story, 25-unit apartment complex designed in Miyakojima City, Okinawa Prefecture. Each unit is a one-bedroom and consists of a general-purpose plan. The common space consists of an elevator, a staircase and a shared hallway, these are required by laws and regulations.
© TOREAL
When making this plan, we mainly examined how to connect and create a sequence with the surrounding environment by using the shared hallway and the staircase. The building is divided into two parts due to the irregular shape of the site, with a courtyard between the two buildings, and the shared hallway and staircase are placed around the courtyard. The staircase has a very gentle slope with a kick height of 140mm and a tread of 520mm, and as one climbs the staircase, one’s line of sight slowly moves from the dimly lit courtyard to the outside.
© TOREAL
The staircase, which is required by law, is not relegated to the end of the building, but rather is designed as a large spiral staircase in the center. The large staircase in a simple overall composition, will create a gentle rhythmic connection to the surrounding environment.
© TOREAL
© TOREAL
Project Info
Architects: Yohei Kawashima Architects
Area: 936 m²
Year: 2021
Country: Miyakojima, Japan
Photographs: TOREAL
Architectural design: Yohei Kawashima, Satoshi Kasai
Construction: Co’z KOUBOU OKINAWA
Structural Engineer: Hiroki Fukazawa
Sophie Tremblay is a Montreal-based architectural editor and designer with a focus on sustainable urban development. A McGill University architecture graduate, she began her career in adaptive reuse, blending modern design with historical structures. As a Project Editor at Arch2O, she curates stories that connect traditional practice with forward-thinking design. Her writing highlights architecture's role in community engagement and social impact. Sophie has contributed to Canadian Architect and continues to collaborate with local studios on community-driven projects throughout Quebec, maintaining a hands-on approach that informs both her design sensibility and editorial perspective.