Sakuragicho Residence, Yokohama Apartment Design, Japanese Architecture, Tohshin Partners Co Japan Property
Sakuragicho Residence, Yokohama Apartments
11 May 2022
Design: Akira Koyama + Key Operation Inc. / Architects
Location: Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan

Photos by Noriyuki Yano
Sakuragicho Residence, Yokohama Apartment

Apartment blocks sprang up across Japan after World War II, and by 2019, there were over 6.6 million units nationwide. Large buildings with over a hundred units, such as this one, significantly impact the appearance of the urban landscape.

Many large multi-unit buildings have continuous balconies along their facades to improve the efficiency of emergency evacuations, and outdoor air conditioners are often placed on these balconies as well. This gives rise to the characteristic look of many apartment blocks, with balconies running the length of each floor punctuated by dividing walls between units.
Beginning in the 1980s, developers began using tiled facades to give their buildings a classy appearance and improve marketability. But while tiling did raise the value of the units, in recent years accidents involving falling tiles have become a problem. This Yokohama residential project seeks to redefine the familiar balcony-and-tile apartment block with a new look.

The facade of the residential portion of the Sakuragicho Residence building, which starts on the second floor, does indeed feature balconies across the length of each floor. However, a...