Now Playing Tracks

‘house in gamagori’ by kazuki moroe architects, gamagori, aichi prefecture, japan is a one-storey home with a circling roof that doubles over itself, slightly sloped to mirror the natural contours of the surrounding terrain. the central courtyard is the life of the home. the north side, which is most public, is the highest structural element to block the public from the private interior, while the south contains a low profile to let in sunlight and open views of the nearby mountain. a material palette of soft white walls and two differently-toned woods make up the floor and ceiling and lend to a tranquil domestic environment.
Zoom
‘house in gamagori’ by kazuki moroe architects, gamagori, aichi prefecture, japan is a one-storey home with a circling roof that doubles over itself, slightly sloped to mirror the natural contours of the surrounding terrain. the central courtyard is the life of the home. the north side, which is most public, is the highest structural element to block the public from the private interior, while the south contains a low profile to let in sunlight and open views of the nearby mountain. a material palette of soft white walls and two differently-toned woods make up the floor and ceiling and lend to a tranquil domestic environment.
Zoom
‘house in gamagori’ by kazuki moroe architects, gamagori, aichi prefecture, japan is a one-storey home with a circling roof that doubles over itself, slightly sloped to mirror the natural contours of the surrounding terrain. the central courtyard is the life of the home. the north side, which is most public, is the highest structural element to block the public from the private interior, while the south contains a low profile to let in sunlight and open views of the nearby mountain. a material palette of soft white walls and two differently-toned woods make up the floor and ceiling and lend to a tranquil domestic environment.
Zoom
‘house in gamagori’ by kazuki moroe architects, gamagori, aichi prefecture, japan is a one-storey home with a circling roof that doubles over itself, slightly sloped to mirror the natural contours of the surrounding terrain. the central courtyard is the life of the home. the north side, which is most public, is the highest structural element to block the public from the private interior, while the south contains a low profile to let in sunlight and open views of the nearby mountain. a material palette of soft white walls and two differently-toned woods make up the floor and ceiling and lend to a tranquil domestic environment.
Zoom
‘house in gamagori’ by kazuki moroe architects, gamagori, aichi prefecture, japan is a one-storey home with a circling roof that doubles over itself, slightly sloped to mirror the natural contours of the surrounding terrain. the central courtyard is the life of the home. the north side, which is most public, is the highest structural element to block the public from the private interior, while the south contains a low profile to let in sunlight and open views of the nearby mountain. a material palette of soft white walls and two differently-toned woods make up the floor and ceiling and lend to a tranquil domestic environment.
Zoom
‘house in gamagori’ by kazuki moroe architects, gamagori, aichi prefecture, japan is a one-storey home with a circling roof that doubles over itself, slightly sloped to mirror the natural contours of the surrounding terrain. the central courtyard is the life of the home. the north side, which is most public, is the highest structural element to block the public from the private interior, while the south contains a low profile to let in sunlight and open views of the nearby mountain. a material palette of soft white walls and two differently-toned woods make up the floor and ceiling and lend to a tranquil domestic environment.
Zoom
‘house in gamagori’ by kazuki moroe architects, gamagori, aichi prefecture, japan is a one-storey home with a circling roof that doubles over itself, slightly sloped to mirror the natural contours of the surrounding terrain. the central courtyard is the life of the home. the north side, which is most public, is the highest structural element to block the public from the private interior, while the south contains a low profile to let in sunlight and open views of the nearby mountain. a material palette of soft white walls and two differently-toned woods make up the floor and ceiling and lend to a tranquil domestic environment.
Zoom
‘house in gamagori’ by kazuki moroe architects, gamagori, aichi prefecture, japan is a one-storey home with a circling roof that doubles over itself, slightly sloped to mirror the natural contours of the surrounding terrain. the central courtyard is the life of the home. the north side, which is most public, is the highest structural element to block the public from the private interior, while the south contains a low profile to let in sunlight and open views of the nearby mountain. a material palette of soft white walls and two differently-toned woods make up the floor and ceiling and lend to a tranquil domestic environment.
Zoom
‘house in gamagori’ by kazuki moroe architects, gamagori, aichi prefecture, japan is a one-storey home with a circling roof that doubles over itself, slightly sloped to mirror the natural contours of the surrounding terrain. the central courtyard is the life of the home. the north side, which is most public, is the highest structural element to block the public from the private interior, while the south contains a low profile to let in sunlight and open views of the nearby mountain. a material palette of soft white walls and two differently-toned woods make up the floor and ceiling and lend to a tranquil domestic environment.
Zoom
‘house in gamagori’ by kazuki moroe architects, gamagori, aichi prefecture, japan is a one-storey home with a circling roof that doubles over itself, slightly sloped to mirror the natural contours of the surrounding terrain. the central courtyard is the life of the home. the north side, which is most public, is the highest structural element to block the public from the private interior, while the south contains a low profile to let in sunlight and open views of the nearby mountain. a material palette of soft white walls and two differently-toned woods make up the floor and ceiling and lend to a tranquil domestic environment.
Zoom

‘house in gamagori’ by kazuki moroe architects, gamagori, aichi prefecture, japan is a one-storey home with a circling roof that doubles over itself, slightly sloped to mirror the natural contours of the surrounding terrain. the central courtyard is the life of the home.

the north side, which is most public, is the highest structural element to block the public from the private interior, while the south contains a low profile to let in sunlight and open views of the nearby mountain.

a material palette of soft white walls and two differently-toned woods make up the floor and ceiling and lend to a tranquil domestic environment.

(Source: designboom.com)

NN House, a minimalist home located in a commercial area of Tokyo, Japan, gains privacy through a triangular courtyard and an L-shaped roof terrace tucked behind its walls. The two-storey family residence is hemmed in amongst a jumble of properties that include a five-storey apartment block to the north and a two-storey residence to the south, so privacy was one of the most important aspects of the design. The client asked PANDA for a series of secluded outdoor spaces. “Standing on the empty lot and carefully observing ‘open’ spots around it, we began to naturally envision the best locations for the courtyard and roof terrace,” explains architect Kozo Yamamoto. The courtyard is slotted into a triangular space at the back of the house, while the terrace is located a storey above and both are screened behind the exterior walls. Most windows face out to the terrace and courtyard, while others are arranged in narrow strips along the tops of the walls. “We made sure that openings are placed at an appropriate height and location so that they can open up the house towards outside while keeping privacy,” says Yamamoto. Two bedrooms and a traditional Japanese room are on the ground floor of the house, while a combined kitchen, living room and dining room occupy the entire first floor. One staircase connects the floors inside the building, while another ascends between the courtyard and the terrace. A mezzanine loft sits directly above the kitchen beneath the highest section of the roof and opens out to a balcony overlooking the street. The architect used a monochrome colour palette for the walls of the house, with black on the outer surfaces and white for the interiors. This rule is broken in a handful of spaces to emphasise protruding volumes and edges. NN-House project description from Kozo Yamamoto: This single-family house is located on a site in a commercial area near a main road in Tokyo. The site is sandwiched between old two-storey house and five-storey apartment building. Our client requested us to design an ‘open’ house in this densely populated environment. In order to avoid unnecessary exposure to public view, we interpret this site condition as a sort of ‘natural’ condition specific to the site. Standing on the empty lot and carefully observing ‘open’ spots around it, we began to naturally envision the best locations for the courtyard and roof terrace, which are two important elements requested by the client. Bedrooms are located on the first floor, living/dining/kitchen space on the second floor and loft space above kitchen. Locations of all openings are carefully worked out in section, so that they can open up towards the ‘open’ spots. Heights and locations of walls around courtyard and roof terrace are designed according to various specific factors of the site. In view of exterior factor we considered location of windows of surrounding buildings, location of the roof, and height from the ground. And in view of interior factors we considered view from inside, natural light, roof, ceiling inclination. We made sure that openings are placed at an appropriate height and location so that they can open up the house towards outside while keeping privacy. Space and form of the house are decided in accordance with the client’s requests and the surrounding ‘nature’, without any arbitrary reasons. Walls are coloured in black and white; basically exterior walls are painted black and interior walls white. And in some areas white interior walls extend outwards and meet black exterior walls, and in some areas white interior volumes are made visible from outside. Details: Architect: PANDA /Kozo Yamamoto Location: Tokyo, Japan Structural Engineer: a・s・t atelier Contractor: B・L home Total Floor Area: 99.44 sqm Building Area: 61.59sqm Year: 2013 Photography is by Koichi Torimura. description from here: http://www.dezeen.com/2013/04/16/nn-house-by-kozo-yamamoto/
Zoom
NN House, a minimalist home located in a commercial area of Tokyo, Japan, gains privacy through a triangular courtyard and an L-shaped roof terrace tucked behind its walls. The two-storey family residence is hemmed in amongst a jumble of properties that include a five-storey apartment block to the north and a two-storey residence to the south, so privacy was one of the most important aspects of the design. The client asked PANDA for a series of secluded outdoor spaces. “Standing on the empty lot and carefully observing ‘open’ spots around it, we began to naturally envision the best locations for the courtyard and roof terrace,” explains architect Kozo Yamamoto. The courtyard is slotted into a triangular space at the back of the house, while the terrace is located a storey above and both are screened behind the exterior walls. Most windows face out to the terrace and courtyard, while others are arranged in narrow strips along the tops of the walls. “We made sure that openings are placed at an appropriate height and location so that they can open up the house towards outside while keeping privacy,” says Yamamoto. Two bedrooms and a traditional Japanese room are on the ground floor of the house, while a combined kitchen, living room and dining room occupy the entire first floor. One staircase connects the floors inside the building, while another ascends between the courtyard and the terrace. A mezzanine loft sits directly above the kitchen beneath the highest section of the roof and opens out to a balcony overlooking the street. The architect used a monochrome colour palette for the walls of the house, with black on the outer surfaces and white for the interiors. This rule is broken in a handful of spaces to emphasise protruding volumes and edges. NN-House project description from Kozo Yamamoto: This single-family house is located on a site in a commercial area near a main road in Tokyo. The site is sandwiched between old two-storey house and five-storey apartment building. Our client requested us to design an ‘open’ house in this densely populated environment. In order to avoid unnecessary exposure to public view, we interpret this site condition as a sort of ‘natural’ condition specific to the site. Standing on the empty lot and carefully observing ‘open’ spots around it, we began to naturally envision the best locations for the courtyard and roof terrace, which are two important elements requested by the client. Bedrooms are located on the first floor, living/dining/kitchen space on the second floor and loft space above kitchen. Locations of all openings are carefully worked out in section, so that they can open up towards the ‘open’ spots. Heights and locations of walls around courtyard and roof terrace are designed according to various specific factors of the site. In view of exterior factor we considered location of windows of surrounding buildings, location of the roof, and height from the ground. And in view of interior factors we considered view from inside, natural light, roof, ceiling inclination. We made sure that openings are placed at an appropriate height and location so that they can open up the house towards outside while keeping privacy. Space and form of the house are decided in accordance with the client’s requests and the surrounding ‘nature’, without any arbitrary reasons. Walls are coloured in black and white; basically exterior walls are painted black and interior walls white. And in some areas white interior walls extend outwards and meet black exterior walls, and in some areas white interior volumes are made visible from outside. Details: Architect: PANDA /Kozo Yamamoto Location: Tokyo, Japan Structural Engineer: a・s・t atelier Contractor: B・L home Total Floor Area: 99.44 sqm Building Area: 61.59sqm Year: 2013 Photography is by Koichi Torimura. description from here: http://www.dezeen.com/2013/04/16/nn-house-by-kozo-yamamoto/
Zoom
NN House, a minimalist home located in a commercial area of Tokyo, Japan, gains privacy through a triangular courtyard and an L-shaped roof terrace tucked behind its walls. The two-storey family residence is hemmed in amongst a jumble of properties that include a five-storey apartment block to the north and a two-storey residence to the south, so privacy was one of the most important aspects of the design. The client asked PANDA for a series of secluded outdoor spaces. “Standing on the empty lot and carefully observing ‘open’ spots around it, we began to naturally envision the best locations for the courtyard and roof terrace,” explains architect Kozo Yamamoto. The courtyard is slotted into a triangular space at the back of the house, while the terrace is located a storey above and both are screened behind the exterior walls. Most windows face out to the terrace and courtyard, while others are arranged in narrow strips along the tops of the walls. “We made sure that openings are placed at an appropriate height and location so that they can open up the house towards outside while keeping privacy,” says Yamamoto. Two bedrooms and a traditional Japanese room are on the ground floor of the house, while a combined kitchen, living room and dining room occupy the entire first floor. One staircase connects the floors inside the building, while another ascends between the courtyard and the terrace. A mezzanine loft sits directly above the kitchen beneath the highest section of the roof and opens out to a balcony overlooking the street. The architect used a monochrome colour palette for the walls of the house, with black on the outer surfaces and white for the interiors. This rule is broken in a handful of spaces to emphasise protruding volumes and edges. NN-House project description from Kozo Yamamoto: This single-family house is located on a site in a commercial area near a main road in Tokyo. The site is sandwiched between old two-storey house and five-storey apartment building. Our client requested us to design an ‘open’ house in this densely populated environment. In order to avoid unnecessary exposure to public view, we interpret this site condition as a sort of ‘natural’ condition specific to the site. Standing on the empty lot and carefully observing ‘open’ spots around it, we began to naturally envision the best locations for the courtyard and roof terrace, which are two important elements requested by the client. Bedrooms are located on the first floor, living/dining/kitchen space on the second floor and loft space above kitchen. Locations of all openings are carefully worked out in section, so that they can open up towards the ‘open’ spots. Heights and locations of walls around courtyard and roof terrace are designed according to various specific factors of the site. In view of exterior factor we considered location of windows of surrounding buildings, location of the roof, and height from the ground. And in view of interior factors we considered view from inside, natural light, roof, ceiling inclination. We made sure that openings are placed at an appropriate height and location so that they can open up the house towards outside while keeping privacy. Space and form of the house are decided in accordance with the client’s requests and the surrounding ‘nature’, without any arbitrary reasons. Walls are coloured in black and white; basically exterior walls are painted black and interior walls white. And in some areas white interior walls extend outwards and meet black exterior walls, and in some areas white interior volumes are made visible from outside. Details: Architect: PANDA /Kozo Yamamoto Location: Tokyo, Japan Structural Engineer: a・s・t atelier Contractor: B・L home Total Floor Area: 99.44 sqm Building Area: 61.59sqm Year: 2013 Photography is by Koichi Torimura. description from here: http://www.dezeen.com/2013/04/16/nn-house-by-kozo-yamamoto/
Zoom
NN House, a minimalist home located in a commercial area of Tokyo, Japan, gains privacy through a triangular courtyard and an L-shaped roof terrace tucked behind its walls. The two-storey family residence is hemmed in amongst a jumble of properties that include a five-storey apartment block to the north and a two-storey residence to the south, so privacy was one of the most important aspects of the design. The client asked PANDA for a series of secluded outdoor spaces. “Standing on the empty lot and carefully observing ‘open’ spots around it, we began to naturally envision the best locations for the courtyard and roof terrace,” explains architect Kozo Yamamoto. The courtyard is slotted into a triangular space at the back of the house, while the terrace is located a storey above and both are screened behind the exterior walls. Most windows face out to the terrace and courtyard, while others are arranged in narrow strips along the tops of the walls. “We made sure that openings are placed at an appropriate height and location so that they can open up the house towards outside while keeping privacy,” says Yamamoto. Two bedrooms and a traditional Japanese room are on the ground floor of the house, while a combined kitchen, living room and dining room occupy the entire first floor. One staircase connects the floors inside the building, while another ascends between the courtyard and the terrace. A mezzanine loft sits directly above the kitchen beneath the highest section of the roof and opens out to a balcony overlooking the street. The architect used a monochrome colour palette for the walls of the house, with black on the outer surfaces and white for the interiors. This rule is broken in a handful of spaces to emphasise protruding volumes and edges. NN-House project description from Kozo Yamamoto: This single-family house is located on a site in a commercial area near a main road in Tokyo. The site is sandwiched between old two-storey house and five-storey apartment building. Our client requested us to design an ‘open’ house in this densely populated environment. In order to avoid unnecessary exposure to public view, we interpret this site condition as a sort of ‘natural’ condition specific to the site. Standing on the empty lot and carefully observing ‘open’ spots around it, we began to naturally envision the best locations for the courtyard and roof terrace, which are two important elements requested by the client. Bedrooms are located on the first floor, living/dining/kitchen space on the second floor and loft space above kitchen. Locations of all openings are carefully worked out in section, so that they can open up towards the ‘open’ spots. Heights and locations of walls around courtyard and roof terrace are designed according to various specific factors of the site. In view of exterior factor we considered location of windows of surrounding buildings, location of the roof, and height from the ground. And in view of interior factors we considered view from inside, natural light, roof, ceiling inclination. We made sure that openings are placed at an appropriate height and location so that they can open up the house towards outside while keeping privacy. Space and form of the house are decided in accordance with the client’s requests and the surrounding ‘nature’, without any arbitrary reasons. Walls are coloured in black and white; basically exterior walls are painted black and interior walls white. And in some areas white interior walls extend outwards and meet black exterior walls, and in some areas white interior volumes are made visible from outside. Details: Architect: PANDA /Kozo Yamamoto Location: Tokyo, Japan Structural Engineer: a・s・t atelier Contractor: B・L home Total Floor Area: 99.44 sqm Building Area: 61.59sqm Year: 2013 Photography is by Koichi Torimura. description from here: http://www.dezeen.com/2013/04/16/nn-house-by-kozo-yamamoto/
Zoom
NN House, a minimalist home located in a commercial area of Tokyo, Japan, gains privacy through a triangular courtyard and an L-shaped roof terrace tucked behind its walls. The two-storey family residence is hemmed in amongst a jumble of properties that include a five-storey apartment block to the north and a two-storey residence to the south, so privacy was one of the most important aspects of the design. The client asked PANDA for a series of secluded outdoor spaces. “Standing on the empty lot and carefully observing ‘open’ spots around it, we began to naturally envision the best locations for the courtyard and roof terrace,” explains architect Kozo Yamamoto. The courtyard is slotted into a triangular space at the back of the house, while the terrace is located a storey above and both are screened behind the exterior walls. Most windows face out to the terrace and courtyard, while others are arranged in narrow strips along the tops of the walls. “We made sure that openings are placed at an appropriate height and location so that they can open up the house towards outside while keeping privacy,” says Yamamoto. Two bedrooms and a traditional Japanese room are on the ground floor of the house, while a combined kitchen, living room and dining room occupy the entire first floor. One staircase connects the floors inside the building, while another ascends between the courtyard and the terrace. A mezzanine loft sits directly above the kitchen beneath the highest section of the roof and opens out to a balcony overlooking the street. The architect used a monochrome colour palette for the walls of the house, with black on the outer surfaces and white for the interiors. This rule is broken in a handful of spaces to emphasise protruding volumes and edges. NN-House project description from Kozo Yamamoto: This single-family house is located on a site in a commercial area near a main road in Tokyo. The site is sandwiched between old two-storey house and five-storey apartment building. Our client requested us to design an ‘open’ house in this densely populated environment. In order to avoid unnecessary exposure to public view, we interpret this site condition as a sort of ‘natural’ condition specific to the site. Standing on the empty lot and carefully observing ‘open’ spots around it, we began to naturally envision the best locations for the courtyard and roof terrace, which are two important elements requested by the client. Bedrooms are located on the first floor, living/dining/kitchen space on the second floor and loft space above kitchen. Locations of all openings are carefully worked out in section, so that they can open up towards the ‘open’ spots. Heights and locations of walls around courtyard and roof terrace are designed according to various specific factors of the site. In view of exterior factor we considered location of windows of surrounding buildings, location of the roof, and height from the ground. And in view of interior factors we considered view from inside, natural light, roof, ceiling inclination. We made sure that openings are placed at an appropriate height and location so that they can open up the house towards outside while keeping privacy. Space and form of the house are decided in accordance with the client’s requests and the surrounding ‘nature’, without any arbitrary reasons. Walls are coloured in black and white; basically exterior walls are painted black and interior walls white. And in some areas white interior walls extend outwards and meet black exterior walls, and in some areas white interior volumes are made visible from outside. Details: Architect: PANDA /Kozo Yamamoto Location: Tokyo, Japan Structural Engineer: a・s・t atelier Contractor: B・L home Total Floor Area: 99.44 sqm Building Area: 61.59sqm Year: 2013 Photography is by Koichi Torimura. description from here: http://www.dezeen.com/2013/04/16/nn-house-by-kozo-yamamoto/
Zoom
NN House, a minimalist home located in a commercial area of Tokyo, Japan, gains privacy through a triangular courtyard and an L-shaped roof terrace tucked behind its walls. The two-storey family residence is hemmed in amongst a jumble of properties that include a five-storey apartment block to the north and a two-storey residence to the south, so privacy was one of the most important aspects of the design. The client asked PANDA for a series of secluded outdoor spaces. “Standing on the empty lot and carefully observing ‘open’ spots around it, we began to naturally envision the best locations for the courtyard and roof terrace,” explains architect Kozo Yamamoto. The courtyard is slotted into a triangular space at the back of the house, while the terrace is located a storey above and both are screened behind the exterior walls. Most windows face out to the terrace and courtyard, while others are arranged in narrow strips along the tops of the walls. “We made sure that openings are placed at an appropriate height and location so that they can open up the house towards outside while keeping privacy,” says Yamamoto. Two bedrooms and a traditional Japanese room are on the ground floor of the house, while a combined kitchen, living room and dining room occupy the entire first floor. One staircase connects the floors inside the building, while another ascends between the courtyard and the terrace. A mezzanine loft sits directly above the kitchen beneath the highest section of the roof and opens out to a balcony overlooking the street. The architect used a monochrome colour palette for the walls of the house, with black on the outer surfaces and white for the interiors. This rule is broken in a handful of spaces to emphasise protruding volumes and edges. NN-House project description from Kozo Yamamoto: This single-family house is located on a site in a commercial area near a main road in Tokyo. The site is sandwiched between old two-storey house and five-storey apartment building. Our client requested us to design an ‘open’ house in this densely populated environment. In order to avoid unnecessary exposure to public view, we interpret this site condition as a sort of ‘natural’ condition specific to the site. Standing on the empty lot and carefully observing ‘open’ spots around it, we began to naturally envision the best locations for the courtyard and roof terrace, which are two important elements requested by the client. Bedrooms are located on the first floor, living/dining/kitchen space on the second floor and loft space above kitchen. Locations of all openings are carefully worked out in section, so that they can open up towards the ‘open’ spots. Heights and locations of walls around courtyard and roof terrace are designed according to various specific factors of the site. In view of exterior factor we considered location of windows of surrounding buildings, location of the roof, and height from the ground. And in view of interior factors we considered view from inside, natural light, roof, ceiling inclination. We made sure that openings are placed at an appropriate height and location so that they can open up the house towards outside while keeping privacy. Space and form of the house are decided in accordance with the client’s requests and the surrounding ‘nature’, without any arbitrary reasons. Walls are coloured in black and white; basically exterior walls are painted black and interior walls white. And in some areas white interior walls extend outwards and meet black exterior walls, and in some areas white interior volumes are made visible from outside. Details: Architect: PANDA /Kozo Yamamoto Location: Tokyo, Japan Structural Engineer: a・s・t atelier Contractor: B・L home Total Floor Area: 99.44 sqm Building Area: 61.59sqm Year: 2013 Photography is by Koichi Torimura. description from here: http://www.dezeen.com/2013/04/16/nn-house-by-kozo-yamamoto/
Zoom

NN House, a minimalist home located in a commercial area of Tokyo, Japan, gains privacy through a triangular courtyard and an L-shaped roof terrace tucked behind its walls.

The two-storey family residence is hemmed in amongst a jumble of properties that include a five-storey apartment block to the north and a two-storey residence to the south, so privacy was one of the most important aspects of the design.

The client asked PANDA for a series of secluded outdoor spaces. “Standing on the empty lot and carefully observing ‘open’ spots around it, we began to naturally envision the best locations for the courtyard and roof terrace,” explains architect Kozo Yamamoto.

The courtyard is slotted into a triangular space at the back of the house, while the terrace is located a storey above and both are screened behind the exterior walls.

Most windows face out to the terrace and courtyard, while others are arranged in narrow strips along the tops of the walls. “We made sure that openings are placed at an appropriate height and location so that they can open up the house towards outside while keeping privacy,” says Yamamoto.

Two bedrooms and a traditional Japanese room are on the ground floor of the house, while a combined kitchen, living room and dining room occupy the entire first floor. One staircase connects the floors inside the building, while another ascends between the courtyard and the terrace.

A mezzanine loft sits directly above the kitchen beneath the highest section of the roof and opens out to a balcony overlooking the street.

The architect used a monochrome colour palette for the walls of the house, with black on the outer surfaces and white for the interiors. This rule is broken in a handful of spaces to emphasise protruding volumes and edges.


NN-House project description from Kozo Yamamoto:

This single-family house is located on a site in a commercial area near a main road in Tokyo.

The site is sandwiched between old two-storey house and five-storey apartment building. Our client requested us to design an ‘open’ house in this densely populated environment.

In order to avoid unnecessary exposure to public view, we interpret this site condition as a sort of ‘natural’ condition specific to the site. Standing on the empty lot and carefully observing ‘open’ spots around it, we began to naturally envision the best locations for the courtyard and roof terrace, which are two important elements requested by the client. Bedrooms are located on the first floor, living/dining/kitchen space on the second floor and loft space above kitchen.

Locations of all openings are carefully worked out in section, so that they can open up towards the ‘open’ spots. Heights and locations of walls around courtyard and roof terrace are designed according to various specific factors of the site. In view of exterior factor we considered location of windows of surrounding buildings, location of the roof, and height from the ground. And in view of interior factors we considered view from inside, natural light, roof, ceiling inclination.

We made sure that openings are placed at an appropriate height and location so that they can open up the house towards outside while keeping privacy. Space and form of the house are decided in accordance with the client’s requests and the surrounding ‘nature’, without any arbitrary reasons.

Walls are coloured in black and white; basically exterior walls are painted black and interior walls white. And in some areas white interior walls extend outwards and meet black exterior walls, and in some areas white interior volumes are made visible from outside.

Details:
Architect: PANDA /Kozo Yamamoto
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Structural Engineer: a・s・t atelier
Contractor: B・L home
Total Floor Area: 99.44 sqm
Building Area: 61.59sqm
Year: 2013

Photography is by Koichi Torimura.

description from here: http://www.dezeen.com/2013/04/16/nn-house-by-kozo-yamamoto/

(Source: designyoutrust.com)

Sundial House by Hironaka Ogawa Japanese architect Hironaka Ogawa designed this rural house in Kagawa like a sundial, with a south-facing tower that casts shadows across a grassy courtyard. The building is the home of a farmer, so Hironaka Ogawa wanted to create a structure that reflects the seasonal calendar: “My goal was to build a home where the client can feel the seasons change from winter, spring, summer and fall”. He continues: “To accomplish this, I proposed this courtyard house with a two-storey unit in the middle of the site. As a result, the shadow of the tower moves slowly throughout the day.” The six-metre high tower with windows on three sides contains two bedroom floors and an attic. The rest of the rooms are contained in a single-storey volume that outlines the perimeter of the courtyard on three sides, creating a sequence of spaces with glazed elevations. Most of the glass panels slide open, so that rooms including the living room and dining room can easily be opened out to the garden. A wall of timber separates the courtyard from the surrounding field. Externally, this wall is stained in dark red, while the internal surfaces are white. Function: private house Location: Kagawa, Japan Structure: wood frame Site area: 727.69 sqm Architectural area: 132.21 sqm Total floor area: 147.51 sqm
Zoom
Sundial House by Hironaka Ogawa Japanese architect Hironaka Ogawa designed this rural house in Kagawa like a sundial, with a south-facing tower that casts shadows across a grassy courtyard. The building is the home of a farmer, so Hironaka Ogawa wanted to create a structure that reflects the seasonal calendar: “My goal was to build a home where the client can feel the seasons change from winter, spring, summer and fall”. He continues: “To accomplish this, I proposed this courtyard house with a two-storey unit in the middle of the site. As a result, the shadow of the tower moves slowly throughout the day.” The six-metre high tower with windows on three sides contains two bedroom floors and an attic. The rest of the rooms are contained in a single-storey volume that outlines the perimeter of the courtyard on three sides, creating a sequence of spaces with glazed elevations. Most of the glass panels slide open, so that rooms including the living room and dining room can easily be opened out to the garden. A wall of timber separates the courtyard from the surrounding field. Externally, this wall is stained in dark red, while the internal surfaces are white. Function: private house Location: Kagawa, Japan Structure: wood frame Site area: 727.69 sqm Architectural area: 132.21 sqm Total floor area: 147.51 sqm
Zoom
Sundial House by Hironaka Ogawa Japanese architect Hironaka Ogawa designed this rural house in Kagawa like a sundial, with a south-facing tower that casts shadows across a grassy courtyard. The building is the home of a farmer, so Hironaka Ogawa wanted to create a structure that reflects the seasonal calendar: “My goal was to build a home where the client can feel the seasons change from winter, spring, summer and fall”. He continues: “To accomplish this, I proposed this courtyard house with a two-storey unit in the middle of the site. As a result, the shadow of the tower moves slowly throughout the day.” The six-metre high tower with windows on three sides contains two bedroom floors and an attic. The rest of the rooms are contained in a single-storey volume that outlines the perimeter of the courtyard on three sides, creating a sequence of spaces with glazed elevations. Most of the glass panels slide open, so that rooms including the living room and dining room can easily be opened out to the garden. A wall of timber separates the courtyard from the surrounding field. Externally, this wall is stained in dark red, while the internal surfaces are white. Function: private house Location: Kagawa, Japan Structure: wood frame Site area: 727.69 sqm Architectural area: 132.21 sqm Total floor area: 147.51 sqm
Zoom
Sundial House by Hironaka Ogawa Japanese architect Hironaka Ogawa designed this rural house in Kagawa like a sundial, with a south-facing tower that casts shadows across a grassy courtyard. The building is the home of a farmer, so Hironaka Ogawa wanted to create a structure that reflects the seasonal calendar: “My goal was to build a home where the client can feel the seasons change from winter, spring, summer and fall”. He continues: “To accomplish this, I proposed this courtyard house with a two-storey unit in the middle of the site. As a result, the shadow of the tower moves slowly throughout the day.” The six-metre high tower with windows on three sides contains two bedroom floors and an attic. The rest of the rooms are contained in a single-storey volume that outlines the perimeter of the courtyard on three sides, creating a sequence of spaces with glazed elevations. Most of the glass panels slide open, so that rooms including the living room and dining room can easily be opened out to the garden. A wall of timber separates the courtyard from the surrounding field. Externally, this wall is stained in dark red, while the internal surfaces are white. Function: private house Location: Kagawa, Japan Structure: wood frame Site area: 727.69 sqm Architectural area: 132.21 sqm Total floor area: 147.51 sqm
Zoom
Sundial House by Hironaka Ogawa Japanese architect Hironaka Ogawa designed this rural house in Kagawa like a sundial, with a south-facing tower that casts shadows across a grassy courtyard. The building is the home of a farmer, so Hironaka Ogawa wanted to create a structure that reflects the seasonal calendar: “My goal was to build a home where the client can feel the seasons change from winter, spring, summer and fall”. He continues: “To accomplish this, I proposed this courtyard house with a two-storey unit in the middle of the site. As a result, the shadow of the tower moves slowly throughout the day.” The six-metre high tower with windows on three sides contains two bedroom floors and an attic. The rest of the rooms are contained in a single-storey volume that outlines the perimeter of the courtyard on three sides, creating a sequence of spaces with glazed elevations. Most of the glass panels slide open, so that rooms including the living room and dining room can easily be opened out to the garden. A wall of timber separates the courtyard from the surrounding field. Externally, this wall is stained in dark red, while the internal surfaces are white. Function: private house Location: Kagawa, Japan Structure: wood frame Site area: 727.69 sqm Architectural area: 132.21 sqm Total floor area: 147.51 sqm
Zoom
Sundial House by Hironaka Ogawa Japanese architect Hironaka Ogawa designed this rural house in Kagawa like a sundial, with a south-facing tower that casts shadows across a grassy courtyard. The building is the home of a farmer, so Hironaka Ogawa wanted to create a structure that reflects the seasonal calendar: “My goal was to build a home where the client can feel the seasons change from winter, spring, summer and fall”. He continues: “To accomplish this, I proposed this courtyard house with a two-storey unit in the middle of the site. As a result, the shadow of the tower moves slowly throughout the day.” The six-metre high tower with windows on three sides contains two bedroom floors and an attic. The rest of the rooms are contained in a single-storey volume that outlines the perimeter of the courtyard on three sides, creating a sequence of spaces with glazed elevations. Most of the glass panels slide open, so that rooms including the living room and dining room can easily be opened out to the garden. A wall of timber separates the courtyard from the surrounding field. Externally, this wall is stained in dark red, while the internal surfaces are white. Function: private house Location: Kagawa, Japan Structure: wood frame Site area: 727.69 sqm Architectural area: 132.21 sqm Total floor area: 147.51 sqm
Zoom
Sundial House by Hironaka Ogawa Japanese architect Hironaka Ogawa designed this rural house in Kagawa like a sundial, with a south-facing tower that casts shadows across a grassy courtyard. The building is the home of a farmer, so Hironaka Ogawa wanted to create a structure that reflects the seasonal calendar: “My goal was to build a home where the client can feel the seasons change from winter, spring, summer and fall”. He continues: “To accomplish this, I proposed this courtyard house with a two-storey unit in the middle of the site. As a result, the shadow of the tower moves slowly throughout the day.” The six-metre high tower with windows on three sides contains two bedroom floors and an attic. The rest of the rooms are contained in a single-storey volume that outlines the perimeter of the courtyard on three sides, creating a sequence of spaces with glazed elevations. Most of the glass panels slide open, so that rooms including the living room and dining room can easily be opened out to the garden. A wall of timber separates the courtyard from the surrounding field. Externally, this wall is stained in dark red, while the internal surfaces are white. Function: private house Location: Kagawa, Japan Structure: wood frame Site area: 727.69 sqm Architectural area: 132.21 sqm Total floor area: 147.51 sqm
Zoom
Sundial House by Hironaka Ogawa Japanese architect Hironaka Ogawa designed this rural house in Kagawa like a sundial, with a south-facing tower that casts shadows across a grassy courtyard. The building is the home of a farmer, so Hironaka Ogawa wanted to create a structure that reflects the seasonal calendar: “My goal was to build a home where the client can feel the seasons change from winter, spring, summer and fall”. He continues: “To accomplish this, I proposed this courtyard house with a two-storey unit in the middle of the site. As a result, the shadow of the tower moves slowly throughout the day.” The six-metre high tower with windows on three sides contains two bedroom floors and an attic. The rest of the rooms are contained in a single-storey volume that outlines the perimeter of the courtyard on three sides, creating a sequence of spaces with glazed elevations. Most of the glass panels slide open, so that rooms including the living room and dining room can easily be opened out to the garden. A wall of timber separates the courtyard from the surrounding field. Externally, this wall is stained in dark red, while the internal surfaces are white. Function: private house Location: Kagawa, Japan Structure: wood frame Site area: 727.69 sqm Architectural area: 132.21 sqm Total floor area: 147.51 sqm
Zoom
Sundial House by Hironaka Ogawa Japanese architect Hironaka Ogawa designed this rural house in Kagawa like a sundial, with a south-facing tower that casts shadows across a grassy courtyard. The building is the home of a farmer, so Hironaka Ogawa wanted to create a structure that reflects the seasonal calendar: “My goal was to build a home where the client can feel the seasons change from winter, spring, summer and fall”. He continues: “To accomplish this, I proposed this courtyard house with a two-storey unit in the middle of the site. As a result, the shadow of the tower moves slowly throughout the day.” The six-metre high tower with windows on three sides contains two bedroom floors and an attic. The rest of the rooms are contained in a single-storey volume that outlines the perimeter of the courtyard on three sides, creating a sequence of spaces with glazed elevations. Most of the glass panels slide open, so that rooms including the living room and dining room can easily be opened out to the garden. A wall of timber separates the courtyard from the surrounding field. Externally, this wall is stained in dark red, while the internal surfaces are white. Function: private house Location: Kagawa, Japan Structure: wood frame Site area: 727.69 sqm Architectural area: 132.21 sqm Total floor area: 147.51 sqm
Zoom
Sundial House by Hironaka Ogawa Japanese architect Hironaka Ogawa designed this rural house in Kagawa like a sundial, with a south-facing tower that casts shadows across a grassy courtyard. The building is the home of a farmer, so Hironaka Ogawa wanted to create a structure that reflects the seasonal calendar: “My goal was to build a home where the client can feel the seasons change from winter, spring, summer and fall”. He continues: “To accomplish this, I proposed this courtyard house with a two-storey unit in the middle of the site. As a result, the shadow of the tower moves slowly throughout the day.” The six-metre high tower with windows on three sides contains two bedroom floors and an attic. The rest of the rooms are contained in a single-storey volume that outlines the perimeter of the courtyard on three sides, creating a sequence of spaces with glazed elevations. Most of the glass panels slide open, so that rooms including the living room and dining room can easily be opened out to the garden. A wall of timber separates the courtyard from the surrounding field. Externally, this wall is stained in dark red, while the internal surfaces are white. Function: private house Location: Kagawa, Japan Structure: wood frame Site area: 727.69 sqm Architectural area: 132.21 sqm Total floor area: 147.51 sqm
Zoom

Sundial House by Hironaka Ogawa

Japanese architect Hironaka Ogawa designed this rural house in Kagawa like a sundial, with a south-facing tower that casts shadows across a grassy courtyard.

The building is the home of a farmer, so Hironaka Ogawa wanted to create a structure that reflects the seasonal calendar: “My goal was to build a home where the client can feel the seasons change from winter, spring, summer and fall”.

He continues: “To accomplish this, I proposed this courtyard house with a two-storey unit in the middle of the site. As a result, the shadow of the tower moves slowly throughout the day.”

The six-metre high tower with windows on three sides contains two bedroom floors and an attic.

The rest of the rooms are contained in a single-storey volume that outlines the perimeter of the courtyard on three sides, creating a sequence of spaces with glazed elevations. Most of the glass panels slide open, so that rooms including the living room and dining room can easily be opened out to the garden.

A wall of timber separates the courtyard from the surrounding field. Externally, this wall is stained in dark red, while the internal surfaces are white.

Function: private house
Location: Kagawa, Japan
Structure: wood frame
Site area: 727.69 sqm
Architectural area: 132.21 sqm
Total floor area: 147.51 sqm

(Source: dezeen.com)

To Tumblr, Love Pixel Union