Posted By Jessica S. Posted On

Tokyo’s Boldest Home: This Artist Built a House with No Roof

Forget everything you thought you knew about urban living. In Zempukuji, Tokyo – a neighborhood that’s a magnet for artists and manga creators – architect and artist Zajirogh has thrown out the rulebook and built a house that’s truly in a league of its own. We’re talking about a 57-square-meter (roughly 613-square-foot) family home where the living room literally has no roof. That’s right, you heard it: no roof.

Zajirogh, who shares this remarkable space with his wife and three kids, always dreamed of living in a camper or on a ship. He sees a small house as a lot like a boat: designed for comfortable living within a compact footprint. He’s even incorporated actual sailboat fastening devices into the design, a nod to that maritime inspiration. His family loves camping, and they wanted a home where they could truly live “under the blue sky”.

The Open-Air Masterstroke

The most striking feature? That open-air living room. It’s not just a quirky design; it’s a brilliant solution born from necessity and a bold vision. Facing strict size regulations for new houses in the area, Zajirogh’s ingenious move was to skip the roof over the living room, transforming what would traditionally be an indoor space into a sprawling courtyard.

This open zone also pulls double duty as the main entrance, a smart way to avoid the often-cramped entrances common in Japanese homes. As you step inside, you’re immediately in this large, open area. The concrete floor is a practical touch, perfect for both indoor and outdoor use. A subtle line on the ground marks the transition, and a clever drainage system handles any rain.

When it comes to furniture, Zajirogh picked items from camping goods. Why? Because they’re quick to move and, crucially, they can get wet without a problem. Anything they want to keep dry simply gets tucked away to the side. And don’t worry about Tokyo’s seasons: radiant heated floors keep the living room cozy in winter, feeling great under bare feet, while the air conditioning in summer surprisingly keeps the cool air contained even with the open top. A large glass door protects the TV and piano from the elements, and a discreet steel door hides less-than-glamorous household items like vacuum cleaners and cleaning supplies.

Ingenious Interiors: Every Inch Counts

Beyond the open living room, a large sliding glass door connects to the indoors, creating a unified space. The L-shaped kitchen, featuring a ceramic top, is clearly designed for a busy family. It’s got a stainless steel sink, a gas cooktop, a range hood, and even a fish grill. Open shelving keeps essential items within easy reach, while bright yellow doors cleverly conceal less attractive kitchen gear. And true to the “small house, big function” ethos, the space under the stairs is fully utilized for extra storage.

A large dining table sits at the center of the kitchen, essential for a family of five. Three individually switched pendant lights illuminate meals, and to save precious table space, the Bluetooth speaker (which pipes in audio from the living room TV) is smartly hung above the table.

The bathroom facilities are all on the lower floor, designed for maximum efficiency for a family of five. The vanity is smartly separated from the main bathroom area, allowing multiple people to get ready simultaneously. The toilet is tucked efficiently under the stairs to maximize space. There’s also a multi-purpose laundry room that doubles as clothes storage and a changing area after baths. The main bathroom is a typical Japanese “wet room” with both a shower and a bathtub. The bathtub faces the courtyard with a window looking out to the entrance, letting sunlight stream in directly from the open roof on sunny days. A curtain provides privacy when needed.

Vertical Living and Future-Proof Design

Head upstairs, and you’ll find more smart solutions. Another toilet is strategically placed at the top of the stairs – because for a family of five, two toilets are non-negotiable, even in a small home. Its custom door ingeniously doubles as the door to the upper floor itself.

This level also features a small office and entertainment area, where Zajirogh’s wife works during the day and the children watch TV and play games after school. For Zajirogh, a tiny one-square-meter study is tucked into a corner, packed with shelves and a desk – his “little sanctuary” for drawing and creating. In the evenings, this multi-functional space transforms into the couple’s bedroom, with futons laid directly on the floor – a common and adaptable practice in Japan that allows rooms to serve multiple functions.

The kids’ bedroom is on the opposite side of the upper floor, where they sleep in a loft above a large shared desk. Here’s a brilliant touch: the bedroom bookshelf is the stairs for the kids to climb to their loft. Large windows flood both the study and bedrooms with natural light, and abundant storage, maximizing wall space and height, keeps everything tidy. Looking to the future, this children’s area is even designed to be divided into three separate rooms, offering more privacy as they grow. There’s even access to additional storage above Zajirogh’s study from their room.

Finally, a balcony wraps around the open roof. Zajirogh has a small desk here for painting, unconcerned about making a mess. This is also where he can operate the mechanism to open and close the roof – a truly unique feature. The house’s location in a quiet residential neighborhood, with a large park, school, and shops within walking distance, solidifies its status as an ideal family spot.

A Blueprint for Boldness

Being his own client, Zajirogh had the ultimate freedom to challenge architectural norms, most notably by daring to omit the roof over the living room. This isn’t just a house; it’s a living, breathing testament to how imagination, coupled with intelligent design, can overcome urban living challenges and strict regulations. It’s a truly inspiring example that offers invaluable insights for future clients and designers alike. Zajirogh’s family home proves that comfort, adaptability, and profound uniqueness can absolutely thrive within a small footprint. It’s truly a boat on land, sailing through Tokyo’s urban landscape with style and ingenuity!