Summary
Highlights
An architect designed this house in a residential area of Tokyo as both his office and home, shared with his wife. The building is constructed from seven offset platforms, creating diverse spaces on each floor with large windows for natural light and primarily concrete materials. The design facilitates communication throughout the house and provides extensive storage for books.
Located in a quiet residential area near a station and park in Tokyo, the house is a rectangular concrete structure with large walls and windows. It has a footprint of 31 square meters and a total floor area of 59 square meters. The first floor includes the entrance, storage, and kitchen, while the second floor hosts the living room and bedroom, with the toilet and bathroom on the upper level.
The house features a large 2.5-meter-wide iron sliding front door that can be fully opened to extend the living space to the street. Inside, a large stone leads to the genkan area, and exposed concrete holes serve as hooks. The entrance also cleverly incorporates shoe storage. The first-floor office, filled with books and plants, takes advantage of unique natural light angles. Beams double as benches for client meetings, and lights are displayed as samples.
Behind the office, a spacious 4.5-meter-wide, 1.6-meter-deep storage area serves as a walk-in closet, made from inexpensive wooden boards. A platform next to the genkan is used for reading and displaying ongoing projects. A massive six-meter-tall bookshelf covers an entire wall, housing architectural books on the first floor and non-work-related books above.
Concrete stairs with a tapered design lead to the kitchen, situated between the first and second floors for easy access from both the office and living room. The kitchen is 3.3 meters long, featuring open storage and a thin steel countertop to create a light feel. A small window prevents it from being dark, and a stainless steel splashback is used. A decorative staircase by the kitchen also functions as a seat and pantry. The second floor encompasses the living and dining room, the largest area with a five-meter ceiling height, designed to feel spacious with clear lines of sight and various seating levels.
The architect custom-designed the bed, which his wife often uses as a sofa. The west-facing bedroom has a large window, ideal for plants. The bookshelf extends to form a headboard with built-in storage. A steel staircase from the living room leads to the toilet and bathroom. The bathroom features a compact dryer and a glass-enclosed shower room to maximize natural light, with a curtain for privacy. A steel bar serves as a handrail and laundry hanger.
A ladder from the bedroom leads to an open rooftop, offering views of summer fireworks. The architect emphasizes utilizing the smallness of compact homes by creating large open areas, clear lines of sight, and distinct zones to prevent them from feeling confined.