Apartment Block in Osaka, Japan

The Katayama Apartment (in Osaka, Japan) by architect Matsunami Mitsutomo, is a small apartment block built on a site of 110m² and consists of 7 stories, 2 apartments per floor and a total of 10 apartments. The elevator is located on the north side, stairs and the passage with the basis being a flat plan. In one part there is a high-ceiling maisonette covering 2 floors incorporated like stacked blocks. The layout is quite apparent when viewed from the facade of the south side. The sectional structure is reflected as it is in the outline of the facade. In other words, the lifestyle inside the apartment itself designed the facade, reflecting the intent to let the vitality of life spread out into the landscape of the homogeneous rows of houses in Katayama. 

For the external finish a distinct black and white colour was chosen, in order to show the strong presence of a simple box against the surrounding dull buildings of beige, grey or brick shades.