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Architects: Atelier Ryo Abe Works
Text description provided by the architects. Architects Atelier Ryo Abe Works shared with us this project that consists on a house for a young couple with two small children. According to the architects, the clients requested a lot of shelf space to display their many collectables.
More information and photos after the break.
The entrance to the site faces a big park, but is narrow with a long approach, and is surrounded by neighboring houses. It is difficult to maintain privacy, and there is little scenery to enjoy.
This project began by determining the maximum exterior form of the structure. Next, seven "floors" were inserted into the space, each being dedicated to a specific function such as sleeping, studying, cooking, bathing, dining, and storage. Each floor has its own character, and fits into the structure with its own uniquely angled volume. Some of the floors have a very low ceiling (1.2m) while others are very high.
The remaining space in the house, not occupied by the floors, became the living hall. This is the largest volume in the building with high ceiling, and was envisioned to cultivate a feeling of being outside, looking into the interior spaces of the floors. With the varying floor levels, and composition of the rooms, the family has skewed viewing levels from their neighbors, helping to foster a feeling of privacy.
To optimize sunlight coming into the house on the small, crowded lot, the four corners of the structure were cut, and made into large windows, allowing direct natural light to flow through the living space at all times of the day. At nighttime the largest of the floors, the study box, becomes alive from within with the play of shadows of the people moving against the surrounding display shelves.
All furniture pieces, and lamps were designed originally for this house.
