The site faces Ring Road No. 8, a major thoroughfare in Tokyo that sees constant traffic 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Behind the site lies a small municipal park. The land, which has a narrow and elongated shape with a frontage of approximately 45 meters and a depth of about 4 to 5 meters, has been put up for sale. This proposal outlines a development plan by a developer who has purchased the land with the aim of putting it to use.
Given the location, there is little expectation of demand for commercial use. In addition, a standard apartment-type residential building would not efficiently accommodate sufficient floor area. Therefore, the proposal suggests a dormitory-type facility, commonly referred to as a guesthouse or dormitory. These have recently gained attention as a new lifestyle option that sheds the old image of cheap lodging and instead offers value through economic shared living, convenience, and communication among residents.
The plan divides the building into three zones, with the central zone connected to the two end zones by staircases, creating a gentle transition with a half-story difference in floor height. The central area serves as a public space, while the two ends are designated as private spaces, though both can be freely partitioned and used flexibly. On the side facing Ring Road No. 8, openings are kept low, while the side facing the park has higher openings. These differences are connected by tapering the short sides of the structure, creating a continuous spatial flow.
At the ground level, the stair cores are preserved while the ends of the structure are cantilevered, allowing pedestrians—regardless of their relation to the facility—to freely pass between the Ring Road and the park.