MDS constructs concrete-clad shirokane house in tokyo
all photos by forward stroke inc.
all images courtesy of MDS

 

 

 

 

 

a modest site in tokyo loans its location for a dwelling composed of cedar and exposed board-formed concrete, by MDS architects. the desire to develop a floor area as large as possible in a narrow site was achieved by designing a structural form that bends outward.

 

with an alteration from a more common rectangular shaped layout, the ‘shirokane’ home is further characterized with an off-centered pitched roof. zoning regulations and a neighboring parking lot limit the sizing of the building. therefore, the second floor expands in volume as a walnut staircase links the three levels of the house. the ground floor functions simply as an entry, dining, and kitchen area; with bedrooms situated beneath this space. a concealed study and a living room, which bleeds out to a roof terrace, occupy the second floor. natural light floods from the top of ‘shirokane’ with large windows carved out of the exterior.

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a view into the living room from the roof deck

 

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a humble dining and kithen area illuminated from windows above

 

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the stair unifies the ‘shirokane’ from basement to rooftop floors

 

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furniture is built in to the parameters of the walls on the second level, expanding the area

 

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detail of the walnut staircase

 

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white plastered interior walls assist in illuminating spaces

 

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the concrete exterior of the dwelling is more notable during the day

 

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project info:

 

 

architects: kiyotoshi mori & natsuko kawamura / MDS
location: minato-ku, tokyo
date of completion: 2013
principal use: residence
site area: 64.49m2
total floor area: 101.63 m2 (-1f-31.02 m2/1f-35.84m2/2f-34.37 m2)
exterior finish: cedar forms exposed concrete
roof: exposed concrete
floor: walnut flooring
wall: plasterer / cedar forms exposed concrete
ceiling: acrylic emulsion paint + plaster board
photography: forward stroke inc.