Tiny Houses

Japanese apartment block designed for motorcycle owners

Japanese apartment block designed for motorcycle owners
Bathrooms often double up with the garages at ground level, which saves space by elimintating the need to run pipes vertically through the apartment, but does mean residents will share quality getting-to-know-you time with their choppers
Bathrooms often double up with the garages at ground level, which saves space by elimintating the need to run pipes vertically through the apartment, but does mean residents will share quality getting-to-know-you time with their choppers
View 26 Images
Bathrooms often double up with the garages at ground level, which saves space by elimintating the need to run pipes vertically through the apartment, but does mean residents will share quality getting-to-know-you time with their choppers
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Bathrooms often double up with the garages at ground level, which saves space by elimintating the need to run pipes vertically through the apartment, but does mean residents will share quality getting-to-know-you time with their choppers
NE apartments in Tokyo are a novel take on the home residence: a block of eight apartments in Japan designed exclusively for the motorcyclist
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NE apartments in Tokyo are a novel take on the home residence: a block of eight apartments in Japan designed exclusively for the motorcyclist
Photography of the apartment interiors reveal incredibly efficient if compact living spaces for one, and the interior layout of the block as a whole is a veritable rabbit warren of a design
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Photography of the apartment interiors reveal incredibly efficient if compact living spaces for one, and the interior layout of the block as a whole is a veritable rabbit warren of a design
Photography of the apartment interiors reveal incredibly efficient if compact living spaces for one, and the interior layout of the block as a whole is a veritable rabbit warren of a design
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Photography of the apartment interiors reveal incredibly efficient if compact living spaces for one, and the interior layout of the block as a whole is a veritable rabbit warren of a design
The C-shaped block, named NE apartments, envelops a central courtyard, optimally shaped for the greatest apartment volume while providing a sufficient turning circle for motorbikes
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The C-shaped block, named NE apartments, envelops a central courtyard, optimally shaped for the greatest apartment volume while providing a sufficient turning circle for motorbikes
Because the exterior facade walls are not load-bearing, the architects were free to maximize its thermal properties, and include continuous strips of glazing running the entire length of the building
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Because the exterior facade walls are not load-bearing, the architects were free to maximize its thermal properties, and include continuous strips of glazing running the entire length of the building
The C-shaped block, named NE apartments, envelops a central courtyard, optimally shaped for the greatest apartment volume while providing a sufficient turning circle for motorbikes
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The C-shaped block, named NE apartments, envelops a central courtyard, optimally shaped for the greatest apartment volume while providing a sufficient turning circle for motorbikes
It's tough to describe the interior arrangement because it appears, from the model at least, that no two apartments are the same. Some are larger than others. Some appear to occupy two rather than the full three floors
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It's tough to describe the interior arrangement because it appears, from the model at least, that no two apartments are the same. Some are larger than others. Some appear to occupy two rather than the full three floors
Because the exterior facade walls are not load-bearing, the architects were free to maximize its thermal properties, and include continuous strips of glazing running the entire length of the building
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Because the exterior facade walls are not load-bearing, the architects were free to maximize its thermal properties, and include continuous strips of glazing running the entire length of the building
Photography of the apartment interiors reveal incredibly efficient if compact living spaces for one, and the interior layout of the block as a whole is a veritable rabbit warren of a design
10/26
Photography of the apartment interiors reveal incredibly efficient if compact living spaces for one, and the interior layout of the block as a whole is a veritable rabbit warren of a design
Because the exterior facade walls are not load-bearing, the architects were free to maximize its thermal properties, and include continuous strips of glazing running the entire length of the building
11/26
Because the exterior facade walls are not load-bearing, the architects were free to maximize its thermal properties, and include continuous strips of glazing running the entire length of the building
Photography of the apartment interiors reveal incredibly efficient if compact living spaces for one, and the interior layout of the block as a whole is a veritable rabbit warren of a design
12/26
Photography of the apartment interiors reveal incredibly efficient if compact living spaces for one, and the interior layout of the block as a whole is a veritable rabbit warren of a design
Photography of the apartment interiors reveal incredibly efficient if compact living spaces for one, and the interior layout of the block as a whole is a veritable rabbit warren of a design
13/26
Photography of the apartment interiors reveal incredibly efficient if compact living spaces for one, and the interior layout of the block as a whole is a veritable rabbit warren of a design
Photography of the apartment interiors reveal incredibly efficient if compact living spaces for one, and the interior layout of the block as a whole is a veritable rabbit warren of a design
14/26
Photography of the apartment interiors reveal incredibly efficient if compact living spaces for one, and the interior layout of the block as a whole is a veritable rabbit warren of a design
Phtography of the apartment interiors reveal incredibly efficient if compact living spaces for one, and the interior layout of the block as a whole is a veritable rabbit warren of a design
15/26
Phtography of the apartment interiors reveal incredibly efficient if compact living spaces for one, and the interior layout of the block as a whole is a veritable rabbit warren of a design
Photography of the apartment interiors reveal incredibly efficient if compact living spaces for one, and the interior layout of the block as a whole is a veritable rabbit warren of a design
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Photography of the apartment interiors reveal incredibly efficient if compact living spaces for one, and the interior layout of the block as a whole is a veritable rabbit warren of a design
Because the exterior facade walls are not load-bearing, the architects were free to maximize its thermal properties, and include continuous strips of glazing running the entire length of the building
17/26
Because the exterior facade walls are not load-bearing, the architects were free to maximize its thermal properties, and include continuous strips of glazing running the entire length of the building
Photography of the apartment interiors reveal incredibly efficient if compact living spaces for one, and the interior layout of the block as a whole is a veritable rabbit warren of a design
18/26
Photography of the apartment interiors reveal incredibly efficient if compact living spaces for one, and the interior layout of the block as a whole is a veritable rabbit warren of a design
Photography of the apartment interiors reveal incredibly efficient if compact living spaces for one, and the interior layout of the block as a whole is a veritable rabbit warren of a design
19/26
Photography of the apartment interiors reveal incredibly efficient if compact living spaces for one, and the interior layout of the block as a whole is a veritable rabbit warren of a design
Photography of the apartment interiors reveal incredibly efficient if compact living spaces for one, and the interior layout of the block as a whole is a veritable rabbit warren of a design
20/26
Photography of the apartment interiors reveal incredibly efficient if compact living spaces for one, and the interior layout of the block as a whole is a veritable rabbit warren of a design
At ground level are small garages, one per apartment, in which residents can lock up their motorcycles
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At ground level are small garages, one per apartment, in which residents can lock up their motorcycles
Theses garages also serve as the entrances to each apartment, with stairs up to the living quarters above
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Theses garages also serve as the entrances to each apartment, with stairs up to the living quarters above
Because the exterior facade walls are not load-bearing, the architects were free to maximize its thermal properties, and include continuous strips of glazing running the entire length of the building
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Because the exterior facade walls are not load-bearing, the architects were free to maximize its thermal properties, and include continuous strips of glazing running the entire length of the building
The C-shaped block, named NE apartments, envelops a central courtyard, optimally shaped for the greatest apartment volume while providing a sufficient turning circle for motorbikes
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The C-shaped block, named NE apartments, envelops a central courtyard, optimally shaped for the greatest apartment volume while providing a sufficient turning circle for motorbikes
Because the exterior facade walls are not load-bearing, the architects were free to maximize its thermal properties, and include continuous strips of glazing running the entire length of the building
25/26
Because the exterior facade walls are not load-bearing, the architects were free to maximize its thermal properties, and include continuous strips of glazing running the entire length of the building
Because the exterior facade walls are not load-bearing, the architects were free to maximize its thermal properties, and include continuous strips of glazing running the entire length of the building
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Because the exterior facade walls are not load-bearing, the architects were free to maximize its thermal properties, and include continuous strips of glazing running the entire length of the building
View gallery - 26 images

Here's a novel take on the home residence: a block of eight apartments in Japan designed exclusively for the motorcyclist. The C-shaped block, named NE apartments, envelops a central courtyard, optimally shaped for the greatest apartment volume while providing a sufficient turning circle for motorbikes. At ground level are small garages, one per apartment, in which residents can lock up their motorcycles. Theses garages also serve as the entrances to each apartment, with stairs up to the living quarters above.

Seven walls and a slab make up the apartment block's reinforced concrete skeleton, the walls extending radially, perpendicular to the courtyard, vertically separating each of the apartments. Because the exterior facade walls are not load-bearing, the architects were free to maximize its thermal properties, and include continuous strips of glazing running the entire length of the building.

Photography of the apartment interiors reveal incredibly efficient if compact living spaces for one, and the interior layout of the block as a whole is a veritable rabbit warren of a design.

It's tough to describe the interior arrangement because it appears, from the model at least, that no two apartments are the same. Some are larger than others. Some appear to occupy two rather than the full three floors
It's tough to describe the interior arrangement because it appears, from the model at least, that no two apartments are the same. Some are larger than others. Some appear to occupy two rather than the full three floors

It's tough to describe the interior arrangement because it appears, from the model at least, that no two apartments are the same. Some are larger than others. Some appear to occupy two rather than the full three floors.

Bathrooms often double up with the garages at ground level, which saves space by elimintating the need to run pipes vertically through the apartment, but does mean residents will share quality getting-to-know-you time with their choppers.

Located in Suginami, Tokyo, NE apartments were a design collaboration between Japanese architects Yuji Nakae, Hirofumi Ohno and Akiyoshi Takagi. They've been up and in use for several years now, but are currently riding a wave of web interest. Despite their age, we felt the combination of biking interest and architectural interest made this one to mention.

Sources: Nakae Architects inc., Dezeen via Gizmodo

View gallery - 26 images
2 comments
2 comments
kellory
Would do very nicely for college housing. I know it is much nicer than what I had then. Is it full glass on the outside? And is the courtyard open to the sky?
BigGoofyGuy
IMO; I think the Fonze (played by Henry Winkler) from Happy Days would love this idea.
I think it is great not just for motorcycles but also scooters. :)