'tree house' by mount fuji architects
all photos by ken'ichi suzuki courtesy mount fuji architects


'tree house' by mount fuji architects is located in a typical residential area of northern part
of tokyo. designed for a young couple the residence is situated close to neighbours houses.
the problem with this was a shortage of natural light and privacy, to resolve this the architects
chose a 'centripetal tendency' by limiting the building horizontally.

they selected the polar-coordinate-system as the geometry of the architecture instead of
the cartesian-coordinate-system. the rule is very simple. each level frame was rotated
and reproduced by 11.25 degrees and every frame is 55mm higher than next one.
as a result, the strong structure which looks like big tree has been realized.

the main space is divided into 4 different characterized spaces by this big tree-like column.
all spaces have a different composition in regards to height, width and light amount projected.
the high and well lit space is for dining and the low and dim space is for sleeping.
in the house people will find their favourite spot,  not by order of named rooms but rather
with functions.





































section view
courtesy mount fuji architects



section view
courtesy mount fuji architects



clockwise from top left: south, west, east, north elevations
courtesy mount fuji architects



first floor plan
courtesy mount fuji architects



second floor plan
courtesy mount fuji architects



roof floor
courtesy mount fuji architects



geometry diagram: polar coordinate system
courtesy mount fuji architects



axometric structure
courtesy mount fuji architects



site plan
courtesy mount fuji architects

project info:
title: tree house
function: private residence
location: tokyo, japan, 2009
site area: 162.69 m2
building area: 78.76 m2
total floor area: 80.45 m2
number of stories: 2 story
structural system: wood