suppose design office: house in minamimachi 03
‘house in minamimachi 03’ by suppose design office in hiroshima, japan
all images courtesy of suppose design office

japanese architecture firm suppose design office has recently completed a three-storey house
in hiroshima, japan. typical of modern japanese practice, ‘house in minamimachi 03’ stands
snugly in between two other residential plots, an unassuming structure made entirely out
of reinforced concrete.

contrary to how the design may be read from the outside, the exterior shell is a separate layer
from the interior space. the design essentially utilizes a box-within-a-box scheme: the concrete
skin acts as an urban fence, providing privacy for the residents, while the interior box sits
in an offset orientation to create angular lightwell cavities in between the two layers.
in addition to creating privacy, the concrete box also acts as a structural armature for the inner
framework, enabling the house to be constructed largely out of glass curtain walls. the interior
is treated with light-coloured wood and white paint to maximize on the natural daylighting effect.

suppose design office: house in minamimachi 03
street view

suppose design office: house in minamimachi 03
concrete facade and entrance

suppose design office: house in minamimachi 03
interior lit by the lightwell cavity

suppose design office: house in minamimachi 03
kitchen and living area

suppose design office: house in minamimachi 03
light wood treatment in the flooring and cabinetry

suppose design office: house in minamimachi 03
washroom

suppose design office: house in minamimachi 03
stairwell also acting as a lightwell for the lower levels

suppose design office: house in minamimachi 03
(left) washroom
(right) retractable windows in the living area