![Kokura Tanaka House by Akinari Tanaka+POI+Nawakenjimu+Lapin](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/06/dezeen_Kokura-Tanaka-House-by-Akinari-Tanaka+POI+Nawakenjimu+Lapin_07.jpg)
Kokura Tanaka House by Akinari Tanaka, POI, Nawakenjimu and Lapin
Japanese architects Akinari Tanaka, POI, Nawakenjimu and Lapin have completed this diamond-shaped house in Kokura, Japan, with a ledge in one corner for climbing up to the roof terrace.
![Kokura Tanaka House by Akinari Tanaka+POI+Nawakenjimu+Lapin Kokura Tanaka House by Akinari Tanaka+POI+Nawakenjimu+Lapin](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/06/dezeen_Kokura-Tanaka-House-by-Akinari-Tanaka+POI+Nawakenjimu+Lapin_03.jpg)
The Kokura Tanaka House is split into quarters by two crossing walls in the centre, creating four equal rooms that each have access to outdoor terraces.
![Kokura Tanaka House by Akinari Tanaka+POI+Nawakenjimu+Lapin Kokura Tanaka House by Akinari Tanaka+POI+Nawakenjimu+Lapin](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/06/dezeen_Kokura-Tanaka-House-by-Akinari-Tanaka+POI+Nawakenjimu+Lapin_01.jpg)
The small plot is surrounded by the perimeter walls of neighbouring residences, which are now painted in the same shade as the new house to make it feel less hemmed-in.
![Kokura Tanaka House by Akinari Tanaka+POI+Nawakenjimu+Lapin Kokura Tanaka House by Akinari Tanaka+POI+Nawakenjimu+Lapin](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/06/dezeen_Kokura-Tanaka-House-by-Akinari-Tanaka+POI+Nawakenjimu+Lapin_10.jpg)
More Japanese houses on Dezeen »
![Kokura Tanaka House by Akinari Tanaka+POI+Nawakenjimu+Lapin Kokura Tanaka House by Akinari Tanaka+POI+Nawakenjimu+Lapin](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/06/dezeen_Kokura-Tanaka-House-by-Akinari-Tanaka+POI+Nawakenjimu+Lapin_12.jpg)
Photography is by Kei Sugimoto.
![Kokura Tanaka House by Akinari Tanaka+POI+Nawakenjimu+Lapin Kokura Tanaka House by Akinari Tanaka+POI+Nawakenjimu+Lapin](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/06/dezeen_Kokura-Tanaka-House-by-Akinari-Tanaka+POI+Nawakenjimu+Lapin_09.jpg)
More information is provided by the architects below:
Kokura Tanaka House
This is the project that the client returned to the birthplace after the retirement and rebuilt an old house. He requested sunny one-storied house with good ventilation.
![Kokura Tanaka House by Akinari Tanaka+POI+Nawakenjimu+Lapin Kokura Tanaka House by Akinari Tanaka+POI+Nawakenjimu+Lapin](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/06/dezeen_Kokura-Tanaka-House-by-Akinari-Tanaka+POI+Nawakenjimu+Lapin_08.jpg)
But there was a problem that an erstwhile quiet green residential area was changed into densely built-up area, and moreover neighbour's concrete block wall surrounded his flagpole shape site. And there was a sense of being oppressed.
![Kokura Tanaka House by Akinari Tanaka+POI+Nawakenjimu+Lapin Kokura Tanaka House by Akinari Tanaka+POI+Nawakenjimu+Lapin](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/06/10.jpg)
So we tried the design “Shakuhei”(=Borrowed wall) to turn this bad condition to the advantage. Incorporating beautiful landscape is usual method at "Shakkei", but this project "Shakuhei" is a trial to incorporating neighbour's ordinary concrete block wall. Therefore, we dared to make the house with a concrete block wall.
![Kokura Tanaka House by Akinari Tanaka+POI+Nawakenjimu+Lapin Kokura Tanaka House by Akinari Tanaka+POI+Nawakenjimu+Lapin](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/06/111.jpg)
Firstly, we cut this site into pieces on a cross with concrete block wall. Secondly, we put one roof over the top of the wall. As a result, in all rooms we obtained scenery that our wall and neighbour's wall are seen at the same time.
![Kokura Tanaka House by Akinari Tanaka+POI+Nawakenjimu+Lapin Kokura Tanaka House by Akinari Tanaka+POI+Nawakenjimu+Lapin](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/06/dezeen_Kokura-Tanaka-House-by-Akinari-Tanaka+POI+Nawakenjimu+Lapin_05.jpg)
In a word, it is felt that neighbours' walls are own walls. And we feel this house compact but large, because each rooms have a garden.
![Kokura Tanaka House by Akinari Tanaka+POI+Nawakenjimu+Lapin Kokura Tanaka House by Akinari Tanaka+POI+Nawakenjimu+Lapin](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/06/dezeen_Kokura-Tanaka-House-by-Akinari-Tanaka+POI+Nawakenjimu+Lapin_06.jpg)
Further, we got a sense of unity and a reflection effect by painting neighbour's wall white with their consent. However, we want not only to borrow the wall from neighbours but also to build the relation of win-win. So that, we secured the neighbor's sunny space with good breeze by making the flat roof terrace and painting it white.
![Kokura Tanaka House by Akinari Tanaka+POI+Nawakenjimu+Lapin Kokura Tanaka House by Akinari Tanaka+POI+Nawakenjimu+Lapin](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/06/dezeen_Kokura-Tanaka-House-by-Akinari-Tanaka+POI+Nawakenjimu+Lapin_04.jpg)
[structure and air conditioning]
Fill-up concrete block structure (=for retaining walls) makes it possible to secure horizontal force by even if it is a straight joint. We planned efficient air conditioning in consideration of loop space. The air-conditioner blows air into air loop duct after taking return air from the center of the house.
![Kokura Tanaka House by Akinari Tanaka+POI+Nawakenjimu+Lapin Kokura Tanaka House by Akinari Tanaka+POI+Nawakenjimu+Lapin](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/06/dezeen_Kokura-Tanaka-House-by-Akinari-Tanaka+POI+Nawakenjimu+Lapin_15.jpg)
The air inlets are familiar screen blocks in a Japanese town. And the air outlets are simple holes but manual regulation of air volume is possible.
![Kokura Tanaka House by Akinari Tanaka+POI+Nawakenjimu+Lapin Kokura Tanaka House by Akinari Tanaka+POI+Nawakenjimu+Lapin](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/06/dezeen_Kokura-Tanaka-House-by-Akinari-Tanaka+POI+Nawakenjimu+Lapin_19.gif)
Architects: Akinari Tanaka+POI+Nawakenjimu+Lapin
Location: Kokura,Japan
Project area: 67 sqm
Site area: 247 sqm
Project year: 2009-2010
![Kokura Tanaka House by Akinari Tanaka+POI+Nawakenjimu+Lapin Kokura Tanaka House by Akinari Tanaka+POI+Nawakenjimu+Lapin](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/06/dezeen_Kokura-Tanaka-House-by-Akinari-Tanaka+POI+Nawakenjimu+Lapin_16.gif)
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![Kokura Tanaka House by Akinari Tanaka+POI+Nawakenjimu+Lapin Kokura Tanaka House by Akinari Tanaka+POI+Nawakenjimu+Lapin](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/06/dezeen_Kokura-Tanaka-House-by-Akinari-Tanaka+POI+Nawakenjimu+Lapin_17.gif)
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![Kokura Tanaka House by Akinari Tanaka+POI+Nawakenjimu+Lapin Kokura Tanaka House by Akinari Tanaka+POI+Nawakenjimu+Lapin](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/06/dezeen_Kokura-Tanaka-House-by-Akinari-Tanaka+POI+Nawakenjimu+Lapin_18.gif)
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