Sakuragawa Apartment Renovation by Osaka Design Department

In the heart of Osaka, the Sakuragawa Apartment Renovation by Osaka Design Department redefines what it means to live well in a small urban space. Occupying just 60 square meters, the apartment exemplifies how thoughtful design can enrich everyday life—not through surface embellishment, but by carefully choreographing movement, light, and material transitions. This is not merely a renovation; it is a spatial reimagination that brings fluidity, emotional depth, and harmony to compact urban living.

Designing with Light, Shadow, and Motion

An Architecture of Subtle Transformation

The project’s strength lies in its delicate orchestration of light and shadow, which enhances not only depth perception but also the emotional experience of the space. Natural light is skillfully directed to create moments of intimacy and expansion. Rather than treating daylight as a static feature, the architects embraced its dynamic nature—allowing it to evolve with time and season, and to interact with the surfaces and materials of the home.

Nature as a Spatial Partner

At the core of the renovation is the relationship between the interior and the surrounding natural elements. The flowing river to the south and the silhouettes of trees on the terrace become spatial anchors—ever-shifting, yet gently framing the home in a rhythm that connects residents to the natural world. These environmental elements are not decorative add-ons but are intentionally integrated into the composition, informing the sense of time, space, and movement throughout the day.

Vertical Expansion Through a Skip-Floor Strategy

Unlocking a Three-Dimensional Living Experience

A pivotal intervention in the renovation was the creation of a skip-floor configuration. By opening up the previously enclosed storage loft and inserting a mid-level room, the architects introduced vertical layering into the layout. This approach adds a new dimension to the apartment, making it feel more expansive than its modest footprint suggests.

From the lower level, sightlines extend toward the river view and upward to the loft, creating a continuous visual and spatial flow. The variation in levels not only enriches the user experience but also serves practical functions—offering distinct zones for rest, work, and contemplation while maintaining an overarching sense of unity.

Thoughtful Zoning: Open Social Spaces and Intimate Private Areas

Light-Filled Communal Zones

The entrance and kitchen areas have been opened to allow natural light and airflow to permeate the core of the apartment. This openness fosters a sense of clarity and lightness, making daily routines more enjoyable and less constrained.

Compact, Intentional Private Spaces

In contrast, the bedroom and bathroom are designed to be compact and secluded. This contrast in scale guides the resident’s spatial journey, providing a rhythm of openness and enclosure, light and shadow, public and private. The transition between these zones feels intuitive, shaped by subtle changes in materials and elevation.

A Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Dialogue

The Terrace as an Extension of the Home

One of the apartment’s defining features is its private rooftop terrace, which has been reimagined as a soft threshold between the interior and the city. A screen of deciduous plants provides seasonal variation and privacy while inviting the outdoors into the home. The dark-toned deck, which continues the indoor flooring, blurs the boundary between inside and out. As a result, the living space naturally extends outward, offering a place for rest, gardening, or quiet reflection.

Material Palette: Warm, Tactile, and Aging Gracefully

An Architecture That Matures Over Time

The renovation places a strong emphasis on natural materials—solid wood, woven rattan, and diatomaceous earth—which were chosen for their textural richness and ability to age with beauty. These materials respond to the shifting light throughout the day, constantly changing in tone and texture, and reinforcing a connection to nature.

Geometry as a Quiet Unifier

In both small details and larger design gestures, the architects employed a composed geometry that includes curved and straight lines. This consistent language appears in cabinetry, built-in furniture, and wall transitions, giving the home a quiet but cohesive identity.

A Quietly Radical Urban Dwelling

Modest in Scale, Rich in Experience

The Sakuragawa Apartment stands as a powerful example of how careful spatial thinking can transform a compact interior into a multi-layered living environment. Rather than imposing luxury through materials or size, it offers richness through movement, perception, and natural connection.

This is a home that feels grounded, adaptable, and gently attuned to its surroundings—ideal for modern city dwellers seeking balance between urban life and inner calm. Through intelligent planning and a poetic sensibility, Osaka Design Department has created a space that is as emotionally resonant as it is functionally refined.

Photography: Tatsuya Tabii