Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates

Architects: APOLLO Architects & Associates
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Architect In Charge: APOLLO Architects & Associates
Area: 115 sqm
Year: 2012
Photographs: Masao Nishikawa

The ophthalmologist couple purchased this narrow, but deep, parcel of land in a quiet neighborhood to build a house where they could enjoy their hobby of listening to the music. On the basement level, the courtyard and double-pane glazing provide sound-buffer for this RC-structure studio which is insulated on the exterior. Natural light enters the studio through the courtyard and makes the space exceptionally inhabitable as a basement.

The balcony extends from the building and acts as the canopy over the garage with pilotis and entrance. The horizontal wooden slats are used as balcony balustrade to block the view from the street while allowing the air to breeze through. The randomly sized wooden pieces give the facade distinctive appearance. The ground floor contains private rooms such as master bedroom and children’s bedrooms. The second floor, on the other hand, is intended as family room. The generously-sized gabled-roof space has two courtyards which accentuate the floor plan with their curves. Through the clerestory windows, the outside scenery and natural light enter the space.

The wet area is separated from the living room by the tiled wall with its upper part glazed. The same wooden panel of the living room ceiling is used in the wet area to create the appearance of a continuous space. When viewed from inside, the horizontal wooden louver also accentuates the interior space while securing the privacy. By using only the simple finishing material on the interior, the space has the austere and coordinated feel. Furthermore, the combination of concrete and wood, as well as the gabled roof motif add warmth to the room’s ambience. This design technique allows the occupants to forget that they are in a dense residential district. It is one of the most popular solutions in the urban setting.

Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates Section
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates Section

Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates originally appeared on ArchDaily, the most visited architecture website on 11 Mar 2013.

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Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates

Architects: APOLLO Architects & Associates
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Architect In Charge: APOLLO Architects & Associates
Area: 115 sqm
Year: 2012
Photographs: Masao Nishikawa

The ophthalmologist couple purchased this narrow, but deep, parcel of land in a quiet neighborhood to build a house where they could enjoy their hobby of listening to the music. On the basement level, the courtyard and double-pane glazing provide sound-buffer for this RC-structure studio which is insulated on the exterior. Natural light enters the studio through the courtyard and makes the space exceptionally inhabitable as a basement.

The balcony extends from the building and acts as the canopy over the garage with pilotis and entrance. The horizontal wooden slats are used as balcony balustrade to block the view from the street while allowing the air to breeze through. The randomly sized wooden pieces give the facade distinctive appearance. The ground floor contains private rooms such as master bedroom and children’s bedrooms. The second floor, on the other hand, is intended as family room. The generously-sized gabled-roof space has two courtyards which accentuate the floor plan with their curves. Through the clerestory windows, the outside scenery and natural light enter the space.

The wet area is separated from the living room by the tiled wall with its upper part glazed. The same wooden panel of the living room ceiling is used in the wet area to create the appearance of a continuous space. When viewed from inside, the horizontal wooden louver also accentuates the interior space while securing the privacy. By using only the simple finishing material on the interior, the space has the austere and coordinated feel. Furthermore, the combination of concrete and wood, as well as the gabled roof motif add warmth to the room’s ambience. This design technique allows the occupants to forget that they are in a dense residential district. It is one of the most popular solutions in the urban setting.

Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates Section
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates Section

Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates originally appeared on ArchDaily, the most visited architecture website on 11 Mar 2013.

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Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates

Architects: APOLLO Architects & Associates
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Architect In Charge: APOLLO Architects & Associates
Area: 115 sqm
Year: 2012
Photographs: Masao Nishikawa

The ophthalmologist couple purchased this narrow, but deep, parcel of land in a quiet neighborhood to build a house where they could enjoy their hobby of listening to the music. On the basement level, the courtyard and double-pane glazing provide sound-buffer for this RC-structure studio which is insulated on the exterior. Natural light enters the studio through the courtyard and makes the space exceptionally inhabitable as a basement.

The balcony extends from the building and acts as the canopy over the garage with pilotis and entrance. The horizontal wooden slats are used as balcony balustrade to block the view from the street while allowing the air to breeze through. The randomly sized wooden pieces give the facade distinctive appearance. The ground floor contains private rooms such as master bedroom and children’s bedrooms. The second floor, on the other hand, is intended as family room. The generously-sized gabled-roof space has two courtyards which accentuate the floor plan with their curves. Through the clerestory windows, the outside scenery and natural light enter the space.

The wet area is separated from the living room by the tiled wall with its upper part glazed. The same wooden panel of the living room ceiling is used in the wet area to create the appearance of a continuous space. When viewed from inside, the horizontal wooden louver also accentuates the interior space while securing the privacy. By using only the simple finishing material on the interior, the space has the austere and coordinated feel. Furthermore, the combination of concrete and wood, as well as the gabled roof motif add warmth to the room’s ambience. This design technique allows the occupants to forget that they are in a dense residential district. It is one of the most popular solutions in the urban setting.

Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates Section
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates Section

Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates originally appeared on ArchDaily, the most visited architecture website on 11 Mar 2013.

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Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates

Architects: APOLLO Architects & Associates
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Architect In Charge: APOLLO Architects & Associates
Area: 115 sqm
Year: 2012
Photographs: Masao Nishikawa

The ophthalmologist couple purchased this narrow, but deep, parcel of land in a quiet neighborhood to build a house where they could enjoy their hobby of listening to the music. On the basement level, the courtyard and double-pane glazing provide sound-buffer for this RC-structure studio which is insulated on the exterior. Natural light enters the studio through the courtyard and makes the space exceptionally inhabitable as a basement.

The balcony extends from the building and acts as the canopy over the garage with pilotis and entrance. The horizontal wooden slats are used as balcony balustrade to block the view from the street while allowing the air to breeze through. The randomly sized wooden pieces give the facade distinctive appearance. The ground floor contains private rooms such as master bedroom and children’s bedrooms. The second floor, on the other hand, is intended as family room. The generously-sized gabled-roof space has two courtyards which accentuate the floor plan with their curves. Through the clerestory windows, the outside scenery and natural light enter the space.

The wet area is separated from the living room by the tiled wall with its upper part glazed. The same wooden panel of the living room ceiling is used in the wet area to create the appearance of a continuous space. When viewed from inside, the horizontal wooden louver also accentuates the interior space while securing the privacy. By using only the simple finishing material on the interior, the space has the austere and coordinated feel. Furthermore, the combination of concrete and wood, as well as the gabled roof motif add warmth to the room’s ambience. This design technique allows the occupants to forget that they are in a dense residential district. It is one of the most popular solutions in the urban setting.

Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates Section
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates Section

Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates originally appeared on ArchDaily, the most visited architecture website on 11 Mar 2013.

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Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates

Architects: APOLLO Architects & Associates
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Architect In Charge: APOLLO Architects & Associates
Area: 115 sqm
Year: 2012
Photographs: Masao Nishikawa

The ophthalmologist couple purchased this narrow, but deep, parcel of land in a quiet neighborhood to build a house where they could enjoy their hobby of listening to the music. On the basement level, the courtyard and double-pane glazing provide sound-buffer for this RC-structure studio which is insulated on the exterior. Natural light enters the studio through the courtyard and makes the space exceptionally inhabitable as a basement.

The balcony extends from the building and acts as the canopy over the garage with pilotis and entrance. The horizontal wooden slats are used as balcony balustrade to block the view from the street while allowing the air to breeze through. The randomly sized wooden pieces give the facade distinctive appearance. The ground floor contains private rooms such as master bedroom and children’s bedrooms. The second floor, on the other hand, is intended as family room. The generously-sized gabled-roof space has two courtyards which accentuate the floor plan with their curves. Through the clerestory windows, the outside scenery and natural light enter the space.

The wet area is separated from the living room by the tiled wall with its upper part glazed. The same wooden panel of the living room ceiling is used in the wet area to create the appearance of a continuous space. When viewed from inside, the horizontal wooden louver also accentuates the interior space while securing the privacy. By using only the simple finishing material on the interior, the space has the austere and coordinated feel. Furthermore, the combination of concrete and wood, as well as the gabled roof motif add warmth to the room’s ambience. This design technique allows the occupants to forget that they are in a dense residential district. It is one of the most popular solutions in the urban setting.

Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates Section
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates Section

Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates originally appeared on ArchDaily, the most visited architecture website on 11 Mar 2013.

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Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates

Architects: APOLLO Architects & Associates
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Architect In Charge: APOLLO Architects & Associates
Area: 115 sqm
Year: 2012
Photographs: Masao Nishikawa

The ophthalmologist couple purchased this narrow, but deep, parcel of land in a quiet neighborhood to build a house where they could enjoy their hobby of listening to the music. On the basement level, the courtyard and double-pane glazing provide sound-buffer for this RC-structure studio which is insulated on the exterior. Natural light enters the studio through the courtyard and makes the space exceptionally inhabitable as a basement.

The balcony extends from the building and acts as the canopy over the garage with pilotis and entrance. The horizontal wooden slats are used as balcony balustrade to block the view from the street while allowing the air to breeze through. The randomly sized wooden pieces give the facade distinctive appearance. The ground floor contains private rooms such as master bedroom and children’s bedrooms. The second floor, on the other hand, is intended as family room. The generously-sized gabled-roof space has two courtyards which accentuate the floor plan with their curves. Through the clerestory windows, the outside scenery and natural light enter the space.

The wet area is separated from the living room by the tiled wall with its upper part glazed. The same wooden panel of the living room ceiling is used in the wet area to create the appearance of a continuous space. When viewed from inside, the horizontal wooden louver also accentuates the interior space while securing the privacy. By using only the simple finishing material on the interior, the space has the austere and coordinated feel. Furthermore, the combination of concrete and wood, as well as the gabled roof motif add warmth to the room’s ambience. This design technique allows the occupants to forget that they are in a dense residential district. It is one of the most popular solutions in the urban setting.

Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates Section
Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates Section

Neut House / APOLLO Architects & Associates originally appeared on ArchDaily, the most visited architecture website on 11 Mar 2013.

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Grow / APOLLO Architects & Associates

Architects: APOLLO Architects & Associates
Location: Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
Structural Engineer: Kenta Masaki
Mechanical Engineer: Zenei Shimada
Area: 124.33 sqm
Year: 2012
Photographs: Masao Nishikawa

This downtown residence, which also houses the working spaces of a husband-and-wife designer couple, is located on an extremely small plot measuring just 65sqm. The cockpit-like office area at the entrance to this home is separated from the garage by a single pane of glass. Opening the garage door to its fullest extent creates a sense of unity between the street and the interior, giving rise to a sort of intermediate zone. The area around the small central courtyard located at the far end of the first floor is filled with diffused light pouring down from the upper levels, projecting a sense of tranquil calm in the adjoining master bedroom.

Going up the spiral staircase leads to a children’s room for the client’s three kids and a large changing room on the second floor. A curtain partitions off the bathroom and utilities. By opening the door to the central courtyard, which is surrounded by concrete walls, the inhabitants can enjoy the sensation of relaxing in an outdoor bath while basking in the light and wind.

On the third floor is the family room, which adjoins the open stairwell. High skylights installed along the walls and on the ceiling make use of the sloping roof, which emerged as a result of the setback limit imposed by the city. A panoramic view of the sky and downtown area is visible from these glass panels, which also allow ample sunlight into the interior. The living room, which features built-in furniture covered in tatami mats, allows the residents to enjoy sitting on the floor, as if they were in a little treehouse.

The balcony next to the kitchen will soon be filled with plants, allowing them to enjoy cooking and preparing food in an open, relaxed environment surrounded by greenery. The rooftop garden, which can be accessed through a rooftop structure, is a genuine urban oasis. This small residence, whose interior brims with a sense of openness that cannot be imagined from the relatively closed facade and its few visible openings, is distinctive for its myriad faces and spatial configurations that can be enjoyed as one moves up and down the different levels.

Grow / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Grow / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Grow / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Grow / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Grow / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Grow / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Grow / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Grow / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Grow / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Grow / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Grow / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Grow / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Grow / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Grow / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Grow / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Grow / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Grow / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Grow / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Grow / APOLLO Architects & Associates Elevation
Grow / APOLLO Architects & Associates Elevation
Grow / APOLLO Architects & Associates Plan
Grow / APOLLO Architects & Associates Plan
Grow / APOLLO Architects & Associates Section
Grow / APOLLO Architects & Associates Section

Grow / APOLLO Architects & Associates originally appeared on ArchDaily, the most visited architecture website on 26 Dec 2012.

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Dent / APOLLO Architects & Associates

Architects: APOLLO Architects & Associates
Location: Aoba Ward, Japan
Structural Engineer: Kenta Masaki
Mechanical Engineer: Zenei Shimada
Area: 123.07 sqm
Year: 2012
Photographs: Masao Nishikawa

Our client, a dentist by profession, purchased a plot of land in a suburban district close to the center of town in order to enjoy a higher quality of life with his wife and two children. The grid pattern of the cantilevered balcony located at the far corner of the distinctively narrow pathway leading into the flagpole-shaped site projects a subdued facade. In contrast, the large, open interior is of unexpectedly spacious proportions, especially taking into account the fact that this is a two-storey wooden structure.

The residence features both a driveway situated beneath the pilotis of the building, and a built-in garage that can house a Porsche 911. The client can spend a pleasant moment in the compact glass-paned study located at the end of the corridor enjoying the sight of his cherished Porsche, stored in this “showcase”. The central courtyard is also visible from the master bedroom, located at the far end of the garage. The metal grating used for the upper level of the courtyard allows ample morning sunlight to flood the space.

Going up the staircase leads to the family room, located just adjacent to the open stairwell. Large windows on both sides of the room bring framed views of the open sky into the interior of the house, while opening the sliding doors to their fullest extent connects the exterior to the interior. The compact, Japanese style tatami room located next to the kitchen can also be used as a guest room. Although all rooms including the bathroom and wet areas are linked to the external courtyard, wooden louvers help to obstruct lines of sight from the outside, ensuring both privacy and a sense of openness. Looking up towards the ceiling reveals a series of roof boards and rafters, each in a different hue, seeming to float within the interior. This wooden section, interposed between the stairwell and loft – designed as a play space for the children – creates a dynamic link between these elements.

Surrounded on all four sides by neighboring residences, this urban flagpole-shaped site seems at first glance to be a difficult environment with many drawbacks. In fact, however, the contrasts between inside and outside found in this residence could only have emerged out of these distinctive site conditions, giving both the family and their visitors a series of pleasant surprises.

Dent / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Dent / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Dent / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Dent / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Dent / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Dent / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Dent / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Dent / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Dent / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Dent / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Dent / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Dent / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Dent / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Dent / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Dent / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Dent / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Dent / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Dent / APOLLO Architects & Associates © Masao Nishikawa
Dent / APOLLO Architects & Associates http://www.kurosakisatoshi.com/
Dent / APOLLO Architects & Associates http://www.kurosakisatoshi.com/
Dent / APOLLO Architects & Associates http://www.kurosakisatoshi.com/
Dent / APOLLO Architects & Associates http://www.kurosakisatoshi.com/
Dent / APOLLO Architects & Associates Plan
Dent / APOLLO Architects & Associates Plan
Dent / APOLLO Architects & Associates Plan
Dent / APOLLO Architects & Associates Section
Dent / APOLLO Architects & Associates Section
Dent / APOLLO Architects & Associates Section

Dent / APOLLO Architects & Associates originally appeared on ArchDaily, the most visited architecture website on 20 Dec 2012.

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