‘y house’ by fumiaso architect & associates all images courtesy fumiaso architect & associates image © kenta hasegawa

japanese practice fumiaso architect & associates has sent us images of ‘y house’, a renovation project to a 40 year old residence in kobe, japan. utilizing a series of knee braces to give structure to the pre-existing framework, the design is a cost-effective intervention that opens up the layout into a free-flowing living space.

fumiaso architect & associates: y house street elevation image © kenta hasegawa

situated on a long and narrow site with limited access to the street, the project seeks alternative ways to gain natural daylight into its interior. the original gable roof is lifted on one side to result in a single-sloped form that opens up to the back of the plot. a loft space is generated through this gain in vertical height, providing a private room with a small outdoor terrace. an open system of wood trusses combined with elements of the old building maintain a sense of connection by providing a visual connection between the loft and the level below.

fumiaso architect & associates: y house street view image © kenta hasegawa

in order to naturally illuminate the majority of the house, the layout is devoid of partition walls between programs. the second storey, which accommodates the kitchen, dining, and living room, is arranged in a linear fashion with a private room to the back that can be separated by a system of sliding walls. the riser of the staircase utilizes a translucent material to minimize light blockage.

fumiaso architect & associates: y house interior view from dining space image © kenta hasegawa

fumiaso architect & associates: y house windows image © kenta hasegawa

fumiaso architect & associates: y house view towards kitchen and dining image © kenta hasegawa

fumiaso architect & associates: y house detail of knee braces image © kenta hasegawa

fumiaso architect & associates: y house view from loft image © kenta hasegawa

fumiaso architect & associates: y house ladder leading up to loft level image © kenta hasegawa

fumiaso architect & associates: y house loft image © kenta hasegawa

fumiaso architect & associates: y house back terrace on loft level image © kenta hasegawa

fumiaso architect & associates: y house (left) entrance (right) staircase images © kenta hasegawa

fumiaso architect & associates: y house washroom image © kenta hasegawa

fumiaso architect & associates: y house original wood structure with the new framework image © kenta hasegawa

fumiaso architect & associates: y house street view at night image © kenta hasegawa

fumiaso architect & associates: y house raised roofform image © kenta hasegawa

fumiaso architect & associates: y house schematic diagram

fumiaso architect & associates: y house site map

fumiaso architect & associates: y house floor plan / level 0

fumiaso architect & associates: y house floor plan / level +1

fumiaso architect & associates: y house floor plan / level +2 

fumiaso architect & associates: y house section

project info:

principal use: residence site area: 33.37 m2 total floor area: 61.03 m2 structure: wood