naoya kawabe architect & associates: lumie

‘lumie’ by naoya kawabe architect & associates all images courtesy naoya kawabe architect & associates photographer: kenichi suzuki

‘lumie’ by toyko-based practice naoya kawabe architect & associates is a two-storey residence converted from a fifty year old wooden row house in japan. limited on three sides by adjacent structures on the plot, the slim rectangular design steps back from the boundary line to create slivers of light and to facilitate natural cross-ventilation for the interior.

open carport

completely wrapped in vertically-running wood panelling, the silhouette of the house employs a simple and iconic pitched roof form. a large opening with a sliding garage door accommodates a dirt floor car port off the street. the more private kitchen, dining and bathroom are tucked behind with a set of open staircases leading up to the living and bedroom. to maintain a spacious sense of space, the second level is simply divided by the middle by the centrally-placed staircase and the wall that hugs it. a small roof terrace provides an outdoor space for the inhabitants away from the busy-ness of the street. 

(left) from the garage (right) stairs

though not offering unconstricted views given the site’s restriction, windows are strategically placed to maximize daylight intake. a large sliding floor-to-ceiling glazing faces out to a neighbouring structure, resulting in an unconventional and intimate dialogue with the urban context of the location.

stairs leading up to roof terrace

space between neighbouring structure

from the living room

windows

bathroom

floor plan / level 0

floor plan / level +1

roof plan

longitudinal section

cross sections

project info:

area: 41.10 m2 building area: 36.40 m2 total floor area: 69. 60 m2 storeys: 2 structure: wood