Ryuichi Sasaki Architecture, an internationally acclaimed and award-winning architectural design firm, is proud to unveil Escenario Hanabusayama, a twelve-unit residential complex located in one of Tokyo’s most tranquil hillside neighborhoods. Drawing inspiration from the natural topography and layered geological formations of the site, the building translates the character of the land itself into an architectural expression of stillness and refinement.

Carving architecture from the earth 

Surrounded by undulating terrain and historic residential zones dating back to the Edo period, Escenario Hanabusayama reflects the strata and slopes of its environment in both form and materiality. The façade—accented with elongated, slanted ridges—evokes layers of rock, while the approach and boundary walls incorporate slender stone patterns and gentle inclines reminiscent of natural formations. The exposed concrete exterior, as if cut directly from the cliff, anchors the building into the landscape, blurring the boundary between structure and terrain.

Integrating light, air, and borrowed scenery

Behind the site lies a ten-meter-high cliff with no openings, ensuring structural stability, while the street-facing elevation opens generously with a rhythmic grid of square apertures connecting the interior life to the city. Each unit features openings on two sides to optimize natural ventilation and illumination, minimizing dependence on mechanical systems. Residents enjoy framed views of the lush greenery atop the hill—an architectural reinterpretation of shakkei, the traditional Japanese concept of borrowed landscape.

A calm dialogue between material and space

Inside, the concrete surfaces remain exposed, their fine texture and greige tones forming a serene backdrop for daily life. The interplay of light reflected across the surfaces enhances a sense of openness and calm, creating a refined, meditative living environment that quietly harmonizes urban living with the natural form of the land.