In a quiet Osaka neighborhood, Tomoaki Uno’s latest project, the Mikage-cho House, stands as a compelling study in contrast and continuity. Completed in 2024, the residence explores the tension between weight and lightness, permanence and transience, in a way that feels both elemental and refined.
From the street, the house presents a striking composition: a solid concrete base that grounds the structure, paired with an upper level wrapped in warm vertical timber. This juxtaposition is more than visual—it’s experiential. The lower level, anchored by a garage and storage spaces, feels rooted and protective. Above, living areas unfold in a sequence of calm, softly lit rooms defined by their delicacy.
Inside, the design reveals Uno’s fascination with traditional Japanese carpentry reinterpreted through a contemporary lens. Fine wood joinery frames transitions between spaces, and a grid-patterned ceiling introduces rhythm and subtle ornament without excess. Daylight, carefully modulated through slender openings, drifts across the textured concrete and timber surfaces, bringing the house to life over the course of the day.
Throughout, Uno’s architectural language remains clear: a commitment to material honesty, nuanced shadow, and an atmosphere that invites reflection. Mikage-cho House feels carved from time itself rather than simply constructed—a place that holds memory and presence in equal measure.
