
first image
'what categorizes the city and me' by ON design partners, tokyo, japan
image © koichi torimura
all images courtesy of ON design partners
japanese studio ON design partners has recently finished the private residence titled 'what categorizes the city and me' in chofu, tokyo, on the threshold
of a dense park with a small shrine. the archetypical house typology in section is divided into a mosaic of stacked spaces, extruded to create shelf-like
structures that are completely open to the front and back of the house, forming a slightly differing relationship between the user and the town in each room.
the entry level is set below grade and contains the studio and coat room, with access to the back yard. the first floor has a bedroom, kitchen and a section
characterized by tatami mats. the final storey is a mezzanine level looking out over the kitchen area and houses the children's room, with access to the rooftop
terrace. the structure consists of stacked masonry concrete block, beveled at the ends and capped with large glass panels that show the delineation of each room
on the exterior. the interior is coated in smooth neutral-toned plaster contrasted by dark wood floors, wall panels, and furniture.

(left) front elevation with semi-basement
(right) entry garden
images © koichi torimura

back elevation facing the park
image © koichi torimura

entry deck
image © koichi torimura

studio/storage
image © koichi torimura

entry corridor
image © koichi torimura

image © koichi torimura

tatami room
image © koichi torimura

dining area
image © koichi torimura

kitchen and tatami room
image © koichi torimura

kitchen
image © koichi torimura

master bedroom and bathroom
image © koichi torimura

kids room from the rooftop deck entrance
image © koichi torimura

kid's bedroom
image © koichi torimura

mezzanine level
image © koichi torimura

rooftop terrace
image © koichi torimura

image © koichi torimura

image © koichi torimura

image © koichi torimura

site plan

floor plan / level 0

floor plan / level 1

floor plan / level 2

section

section

section

concept sketch
mmm…. bedroom + toilet + kitchen + dinning + salle floor plan? Still, I like it!
nice to see a lived in house
Yes, finally a Japanese house that is built on a small plot, has striking design features AND is fully liveable as well as actually lived in!
Nice project, I would like to get an idea of the cost even if it is in another country, the measures in each m² of built area. Congratulations to the architect.
Roberto Wagner – from Brazil
Comments:
+ Hate the fence
+ Love the house
+ I guess people don’t have sex in the kitchen in Japan
Sugoi!
most important floor plan missing, bummer, makes it a bit hard to understand the plans. like the big windows and strong sectional shape. a couple of negatives, 1. a room that forms part of a corridor is not a room, it is a corridor. 2. The fridge, not sure that was thought about, 3. what is the story with these skinny rooms, the winter garden and “kids alcove” that are only about 1.2 meters wide at the most.
Amazing given what it is up against in Japan. Superb design and craftsmanship. Elevation is remarkable.
Nice.
the horror that is life in Japan (and everywhere else for that matter)
what a thin line it is between life’s accumulations, consumerism. and hoarding.
a beautiful house crammed with useless and unused junk.
@Roberto
after they have one or two kids, they don’t have sex at all, let alone in the kitchen.
Japan has the lowest birthrate in the developed world.
Very nice flowing spaces; wonderful windows and light; appears to be highly livable. Good job!