‘double tube house’ by ozawa design in kanagawa, japan all images courtesy ozawa design

‘double tube house’ by yokohama-based architects ozawa design (shun’ich ozawa, atsuko ozawa) is a two and a half storey office and residence located in kanagawa, japan. resting on a hillside, the design seeks to serve as an ‘observation tower’, establishing wide-scoping views of the natural and urban landscape beyond.

ozawa design: double tube house transparent face

conceived as two rectangular ‘tubes’ that double in on one another, the house features an expansive square-faced elevation that extrudes out from the concrete base. the overlapping of the forms determine internal zones and programs, generating a mezzanine level within the upper floor. a contrast in materiality – reinforced concrete and steel – creates a visual and atmospheric contrast throughout the house.

ozawa design: double tube house extruding form

the lower tube, constructed out of concrete, serves as the basement level of the residence while a steel frame accommodates a living space and an office. the mezzanine created in the overlap clearly differentiates between the live/work zones, providing spatial boundary to the open space. 

ozawa design: double tube house street elevation

ozawa design: double tube house interior view

ozawa design: double tube house mezzanine level

ozawa design: double tube house above the staircase

ozawa design: double tube house view of living / dining

ozawa design: double tube house concrete tube

ozawa design: double tube house (left) stairs from basement (right) living space

ozawa design: double tube house diagram

ozawa design: double tube house (left) schematic section (right) schematic plan

ozawa design: double tube house site map

ozawa design: double tube house floor plan / level -1

ozawa design: double tube house floor plan / level 0

ozawa design: double tube house floor plan / level+1

ozawa design: double tube house section with magic arrows

ozawa design: double tube house section through site