Villa Kanousan / Yuusuke Karasawa Architects

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Kimitsu, Japan
Villa Kanousan / Yuusuke Karasawa Architects - Facade, Windows
Courtesy of Yuusuke Karasawa Architects

This is a weekend cottage situated within the deep mountainous area of midlands in Bousou Peninsula. The site is located in Kanou Mountain, Kimitsu city. An important traditional Japanese painter, Kaii Higashiyama(1909-99) once mentioned that he was awakened by a landscape painting of the majestic ravine scenery of this site. The cottage is sitting on a slope looking down to this ravine.

Villa Kanousan / Yuusuke Karasawa Architects - Image 6 of 26
Diagram

The exterior shape of this building appears to be a simple cube. However, the interior consists of two layers of the traditional square plan, while a cubic volume is inserted to the points of intersection produced by the walls, the floors and the ceiling that divides the space. The intersecting angle of each cube is defined by the rule of an algorithm, producing the most prominent character of this project - that adjacent cubes are tilted in a definite angle against each other. The rotation angle of the cubes defined by algorithmic rule dissects the interior volume into various spaces according to the header forms of the cutting plane, providing diverse spatial conditions as each individual room.

Villa Kanousan / Yuusuke Karasawa Architects - Handrail
Courtesy of Yuusuke Karasawa Architects

The interior produced by this method have diverse characteristics for each space although the certain sense of order is given to the whole building since the setting of the cube angle is not random. This condition allows to experience the coexistence of the order and the diversity as antinomy based on the physical sensation of the space. It can be said that such coexistence of order and diversity is the most significant characteristic of the architectural space produced by an algorithmic rule.

Villa Kanousan / Yuusuke Karasawa Architects - Handrail
Courtesy of Yuusuke Karasawa Architects

The skylight brings in the sunlight, filling up the room in the day. Beams of sunlight come from unexpected directions and crisscross within the interior, bringing out more layers of complexity to the already diverse interior condition. The initial rotation angle of the cube is fixed according to the slope angle of the site, therefore the magnificent natural scenery is reflected and articulated to the spatial conditions of the interior space.The occupants of the space can feel the sense of unity to the scenery visible outside of the windows.

Villa Kanousan / Yuusuke Karasawa Architects - Image 13 of 26
Courtesy of Yuusuke Karasawa Architects

This weekend cottage was completed under the unique methodology of configuring the spaces, it exists within its grand surroundings, and the scenery is brought into the space. The result would be the new and original physical sensation and experience of the space.

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Project location

Address:Kimitsu, Chiba Prefecture, Japan

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Villa Kanousan / Yuusuke Karasawa Architects" 04 Nov 2013. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/444327/villa-kanousan-yuusuke-karasawa-architects> ISSN 0719-8884

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