Moriyama House is a complex of six houses scattered over a lot. They are small independent units with gaps between them. As the small volume of each is used by one or two people in each unit, the six households, which are smaller than a "nuclear family," form an "extended family" that lives in a cooperative manner. As large openings have been created in the units, the residents are sensitive to each other's movements, and the gap-like external spaces function to control this relationship. Creating a sense of continuity with these external spaces in the crowded neighbourhood of wooden houses, the building seems to be woven into its surroundings.

NISHIZAWA Ryue
Moriyama House
2005
© Office of Ryue Nishizawa