
first image
'house of futakoshinchi' by tato architects/yo shimada, kanagawa, japan
image © mitsutaka kitamura
all images courtesy of tato architects/yo shimada
designed by japanese architect yo shimada of tato architects, the 'house of futakoshinchi' is positioned upon a remnant lot in the
urban grid of kanagawa, japan. the dwelling arranges 92.45 square meters of internal program upon a 77.63 square meter site,
maintaining a building footprint of 4.8 by 7.4 meters. reaching 8.2 meters in height, the six storeys are interconnected with
two stairways, one which connects three levels and another which connects two floors. broiled cedar, a durable wood surfaces
the walls, serving as a structural element with fire resistant capabilities.

image © mitsutaka kitamura
a concrete entrance hall accommodates and stores the owners motorbike as well as facilitating DIY hobbies.
situated partially underground, the bedroom is surfaced with paulownia wood to control the humidity. continuing upward,
dwellers ascend towards the combined dining area and kitchen on the first level. after another turn and rising another platform,
inhabitants find the living room. continuing in this spiraling manner, sunlight begins to illuminate rooms from overhead skylights
down to the bottom-most floor. a bathroom on the rooftop is enclosed with glass walls, creating an open yet visually secured atmosphere.

image © mitsutaka kitamura

image © mitsutaka kitamura

images © mitsutaka kitamura

image © mitsutaka kitamura

image © mitsutaka kitamura

image © mitsutaka kitamura

images © mitsutaka kitamura

images © mitsutaka kitamura

image © mitsutaka kitamura

images © mitsutaka kitamura

images © mitsutaka kitamura

bedroom
image © mitsutaka kitamura

bedroom
image © mitsutaka kitamura

bathroom
image © mitsutaka kitamura

access to terrace from bathroom
image © mitsutaka kitamura

main entry
image © mitsutaka kitamura

floor plan / level 0

floor plan / level 1

floor plan / level 2

section perspective
project info:
project name: house in futakoshinchi
architects: yo shimada
project team: tato architects
construction: masashi ouji
location: kanagawa, japan
district: residential
type: house
site area: 77.627 m2
bldg. area: 35.05 m2
gross floor area: 92.45 m2
bldg. coverage ratio: 60%
gross floor ratio: 200%
structure: wooden
max. height: 8.244m
landscape area: 0 m2
exterior finish: concrete
year of completion: 2010
design period: may.2008 - apr. 2009
completion period: sep.2009 - jan. 2010
Nobody would need Valium if we all lived in such a calm environment. I could only wish.
Jim
The balance of the natural wood features against the plaster background is exceptional. Setting it all off is the masterful play of natural light. The bedrooms with their full wood paneling are a welcome, calming respite.
Such a balanced Raumplan unfortunately could not be easily replicated in the US with our litigious need for railings and balustrades everywhere.
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