atelier hako architects stacks house at komazawa vertically
image © shinsuke kera/urban arts
all images courtesy of atelier hako architects

 

 

 

accommodating enough room for two generations, the internal divisions of ‘house at komazawa’ by japanese firm atelier hako architects are stacked vertically on top of one another. sharing a common entrance and bathroom area, different ceiling heights help to define the separate spaces. the site is located in komazawa, setagaya ward, tokyo in a zone where single-family houses and apartments are mixed. the shape of the house is in response to the height limit of the building standards law, which made it necessary to have a slanting roof. the future of the surrounding environment is uncertain – in order for the occupants to be able to live comfortably without being too affected by any dramatic changes – the main openings are set up around the stairs as a buffer zone between the exterior and interior. in addition, the living area on the upper floor features horizontal, panorama windows that stream natural light across the entire room. the unusual size and shape allows for a level of privacy from neighboring properties and creates fragmented views of the outside environment.

 

 

atelier hako architects stacks house at komazawa vertically
view of the basement floor living area and a small courtyard beyond
image © shinsuke kera/urban arts

 

 

atelier hako architects stacks house at komazawa vertically
the main openings are set up around the stairs as a buffer zone between the exterior and interior
image © shinsuke kera/urban arts

 

 

atelier hako architects stacks house at komazawa vertically
a see-through staircase is located above the courtyard
image © shinsuke kera/urban arts

 

 

atelier hako architects stacks house at komazawa vertically
the upper floor dining and kitchen area offers fragmented views to the outside environment
image © shinsuke kera/urban arts

 

 

atelier hako architects stacks house at komazawa vertically
the horizontal windows stream natural light across the entire room
image © shinsuke kera/urban arts

 

 

atelier hako architects stacks house at komazawa vertically
stair and horizontal panorama ribbon window detail
image © shinsuke kera/urban arts

 

 

atelier hako architects stacks house at komazawa vertically
top floor bedroom
image © shinsuke kera/urban arts

 

 

atelier hako architects stacks house at komazawa vertically
night view photo
image © shinsuke kera/urban arts

 

 

atelier hako architects stacks house at komazawa vertically
plan

 

 

atelier hako architects stacks house at komazawa vertically
section

 

 

project info:

 

name: house at komazawa
architect: yukinobu nanashima + tomomi sano / atelier hako architects
structural engineer: shin’itsu hiraoka / hiraoka structural engineers
constructor: Hirano kensetsu co.,ltd
photographer: shinsuke kera/urban arts, all images courtesy of atelier hako architects
completion: august 2010
location: komazawa, setagaya ward, tokyo
primary usage: private residence for two generations
structure: steel construction, basement floor and three stories above ground
clients: couple and a child and their parents
site area: 58.35 m2
building area: 31.92 m2
total floor space: 129.10 m2 

 

 

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