Escenario Hanabusayama Housing by Ryuichi Sasaki Architecture

Suginami City, Japan
Residential Architecture, Residential Interior Design

Escenario Hanabusayama is a twelve-unit residential complex designed by Ryuichi Sasaki Architecture in one of Tokyo’s quiet hillside neighborhoods. The project draws directly from the site’s natural topography, translating geological layers and slopes into a calm architectural language rooted in material clarity and spatial restraint.

Architecture Shaped by Geological Form

The building’s exterior reflects the layered terrain of its surroundings through elongated ridges and slanted surfaces that recall natural rock formations. Exposed concrete appears almost carved from the hillside itself, reinforcing the idea that the structure emerges from the land rather than sitting upon it. Boundary walls and approach paths subtly follow the site’s inclines, blurring the boundary between architecture and terrain.

Balancing Enclosure and Openness

A ten-meter-high cliff behind the site creates a solid, closed backdrop that ensures structural stability. In contrast, the street-facing elevation opens up through a rhythmic grid of square apertures. Each residential unit features openings on two sides, supporting cross ventilation and natural daylight while reducing reliance on mechanical systems.

Borrowed Landscape and Natural Light

Carefully framed views toward the greenery atop the hill reinterpret the traditional Japanese concept of shakkei, or borrowed scenery. Rather than expansive glazing, precise openings guide light and views, allowing interior spaces to remain calm while maintaining a visual dialogue with the surrounding landscape.

Interior Calm Through Material Honesty

Inside, exposed concrete surfaces are left unadorned, their fine textures and soft greige tones creating a serene backdrop for daily life. Light reflected across these surfaces enhances spatial clarity and calm, forming a restrained living environment that quietly balances urban density with a sense of stillness.

Through Escenario Hanabusayama, Ryuichi Sasaki Architecture demonstrates a consistent design approach grounded in context, material honesty, and measured architectural expression. More work by the studio can be found at Ryuichi Sasaki Architecture.