kochi architect's studio: garden house

'garden house' by kochi architect's studio in tokyo, japan
all images courtesy kochi architect's studio
image © daichi ano


'garden house' by japanese practice kochi architect's studio (kazuyasu kochi) is a two-storey
residence and atelier on a lush site in tokyo, japan. integrating as much as possible the exterior garden,
the design invites the natural element into the interior space by making the exterior walls transparent
through glass.



reflective glass exterior walls
image © daichi ano


taking advantage of the generously-sized site which measures over 450 m2, the project was conceived
to have a building coverage ratio of 20%. with the rest of the plot left untouched, the design maximizes
the outdoor presence by incorporating the garden into the house. two transparent boxes are arranged to
stand on site and touch corners. by placing the only circulation route between the two cubic volumes,
the inhabitants experience the garden in their domestic movement.



interior view
image © daichi ano


maintaning the natural scheme of the design, a system of exterior panels constructed out of
wood wool and glass provide insulation for the house and atelier. the glass acts as a reflective agent,
projecting images of the garden back on to the site. the resulting effect blurs the architecture to stand
as a neutral and sensitive structure among the plants and trees.



view of the garden
image © daichi ano



(left) with the blinds opened
image © kazuyasu kochi
(right) with the blinds closed
image © daichi ano



image © kazuyasu kochi



detail of the wood wool wall make-up
image © kazuyasu kochi



aerial view of circulation box in between
image © kazuyasu kochi



physical model
image © kazuyasu kochi



site plan


project info:

principal program: residence + atelier
structure: wooden
storeys: two above grade
site area: 453.2 m2
total floor area: 132.1 m2

structural engineering: yukihiro kato / MI+D architectural structure laboratory
garden: michiko tokumitsu / tokuzo