The concrete and chipboard components of this irregularly shaped holiday home in Japan have been designed to deal with the difficult conditions of its woodland site, from restricted lighting to hilly topography (+ slideshow). More about House by Double Negatives Architecture adapted to suit a difficult woodland site
The lower floor of this live-work building in Japan was designed by architects SNARK and OUVI as a barber shop, while the upper level contains an apartment featuring a spacious loft (+ slideshow). More about Combined home and barber shop features exposed ceiling beams
Swaths of crumpled tracing paper cocooned the interior of this pop-up bar in a Japanese gallery to transform the space into a cozy cave (+ slideshow). More about Naoya Matsumoto Design uses crumpled paper to create grotto-like bar in Osaka
Architecture studio Sinato raised the ceiling level inside this Japanese apartment to create a mezzanine reading room that can be glimpsed through a narrow opening (+ slideshow). More about Sinato raises an apartment ceiling to squeeze in an extra floor
A spiral staircase rises through the trough-shaped floors of this concrete residence in Japan by local studio Takeshi Hosaka Architects (+ slideshow). More about Spiral stairs puncture hilly floors inside Takeshi Hosaka's House in Byobugaura
Japanese studios SNARK and OUVI have slotted a six-metre-wide house with a lopsided roof between two buildings on the edge of a cemetery (+ slideshow). More about Asymmetric House in Tourimachi slots between two buildings
This apartment block in Tokyo by Hiroyuki Ito Architects features concrete walls that step back and forth, and a series of terraces screened by the facade (+ slideshow). More about Hiroyuki Ito completes Tokyo housing block with staggered concrete silhouette
A secluded rock garden runs along one side of this former house that Japanese architect Ogawa Sekkei has converted into a studio and showroom for a landscape architect (+ slideshow). More about Ogawa Sekkei transforms an old house into a landscape architecture studio with a rockery
Three-dimensional shutters are angled to shield the windows of this textured-concrete apartment block and noodle bar in Tokyo by KINO Architects (+ slideshow) More about Angled fins flank the windows of KINO Architects' Tokyo apartment block
Dabs of plaster pattern the raw concrete surfaces in this Tokyo bedsit partially renovated by local architects Yuichi Yoshida & Associates as a short-term living space (+ slideshow). More about Yuichi Yoshida reorganises Tokyo apartment to create temporary accommodation
A bank of cherry blossoms are mirrored in the reflective gables of this cafe that angles around a smaller tree in Gifu, Japan, by architecture studio Bandesign (+ slideshow). More about Bandesign clads a Japanese cafe in mirrors to reflect a row of cherry trees
Japanese architect Kunihiko Matsuba has balanced a small white house over the flat rooftops of a dental clinic and garage near Tokyo (+ slideshow). More about Tokyo house bridges the rooftops of a dental surgery and garage
Lengths of black-painted timber clad this single-storey holiday home in Japan by Studio Aula, which steps across a wooded site in three volumes of increasing sizes (+ slideshow). More about Blackened timber retreat by Studio Aula built in the woods outside Tokyo
Japanese studio Nano Architects has renovated a small 1960s apartment with custom-built wooden furniture, ornamental driftwood and unusually shaped openings – a process described by the team as "cyborg surgery" (+ slideshow). More about Nano Architects remodels 1960s apartment in Japan with curved and letterbox-shaped openings
Gaps in the upside-down barrel-vaulted ceiling of this Japanese church by Takeshi Hosaka funnel slices of light into the concrete-lined hall (+ slideshow). More about Six inverted arches outline the roof of Shonan Christ Church by Takeshi Hosaka
French fashion house Dior's flagship store in Tokyo by Japanese studio SANAA has had its interior overhauled by American architect Peter Marino (+ slideshow). More about SANAA's Dior Omotesando store receives Peter Marino refit
Nendo has designed retail concessions for its wide range of products created exclusively for department stores in Japan (+ slideshow). More about Nendo showcases prolific product range in Japanese department stores
A curvy structure forms the heart of this small Tokyo home and workspace by Japanese studio Flat House, separating a cafe, gallery and art studio from the residents' domestic activities (+ slideshow). More about Live-in gallery and studio by Flat House hides utility rooms in a central cylinder
News: Japanese architect Arata Isozaki has hit out at the redesign of Zaha Hadid's Tokyo 2020 Olympic stadium, branding it "a monumental mistake" that has left him "in despair". More about Zaha Hadid's Tokyo stadium will be "a disgrace to future generations" says Arata Isozaki
A white timber roof masks the upper storey of this Japanese house by Takeru Shoji Architects, but is raised on wooden stilts to reveal the pale timber facade of the lower level (+ slideshow). More about Takeru Shoji Architects tops a timber-clad Japanese house with a "big hat"