kenji yanagawa’s case study house frames city and luxury cars

kenji yanagawa’s ‘case study house’ frames city and luxury cars

photo © kazushi hirano, atelier k

all images courtesy of kenji yanagawa architects and associates

carved into the japanese hillside with a 5 meter vertical drop, ‘case study house’ by kenji yanagawa has a low visual and environmental impact. below ground, an un-used septic tank becomes the building’s foundation, reducing the area of excavation. a narrow footprint further limits the area of intervention on the site. this dimension restricts possibility of having a typical garage wide enough for the owner’s porsche, ferrari and honda. the solution is to park the cars vertically in an elevator visible from the interior of the home. the shaft pushes occupiable rooms away from the hillside, creating a vertical entry and a small courtyard, which allow light to infiltrate the entry, diningroom, and japanese room. surrounded by decks and terraces the house opens to the outdoors. this connection is maintained as one descends into the house through vibrant living spaces. large windows to the south fill the space with light and air, and open expansive views of kurakuen niban-cho. at the lowest level, the bedrooms, bath and service areas remain private, secluded from the street. this vertical abode blends the physical restrictions of the site, respect for the visual context, and the family’s priorities.

luxury cars have a prominent place in this japanese hill-side home

photo © kazushi hirano, atelier k

the street-level entrance and driveway conceal the dwelling below, leaving expansive views unobstructed

taking advantage of the sloping site, the house is constructed with low visual and environmental impact

east facade illustrates how ‘case study house’ maintains the shape of the existing site

opening to the south, windows and terraces

photo © kazushi hirano, atelier k

the kitchen is set back from the south facade, creating a terrace large enough for a dining balcony

photo © kazushi hirano, atelier k

a window on the ground floor exposes the rocks displaced by the foundation

photo © kazushi hirano, atelier k

 windows to the north frames the owner’s luxury sports car

photo © kazushi hirano, atelier k

on the second floor, living spaces overlook the city

the roof terrace at the north street level maintains views of kurakuen niban-cho

photo © kazushi hirano, atelier k

a cantilevered roof designates and protects the entrance to the house

photo © kazushi hirano, atelier k

 photo © kazushi hirano, atelier k

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project info:

project name: case study houselocation: kurakuen niban-cho hyogo japanarchitect: kenji yanagawastructure: woodfloors above ground: 2construction area: 95.58㎡total floor area: 146.70㎡max. height: 9.32m