form / kouichi kimura architects: ordinary house

'ordinary house' by form / kouichi kimura architects, shiga, japan
image © MOVE


japanese practice form / koichi kimura architects has completed 'ordinary house', a single family residence located
in shiga, japan. positioned within a newly constructed residential development, this home intentionally recedes into
its mundane context with minimal external detailing and landscape features. the simple rectangular volume has minimal
penetrations for windows, reducing the overall cost of the structure. the limited bands of windows have been carefully
laid out to translate into the interior configuration.



front door leads directly to stairway
image © MOVE


the ground level corridors lead to the private spaces and bedroom, while an entry stair leads up to the common areas.
the living, dining and kitchen areas revolve around the void within the floor plate for the stairs with open views across
the half-wall railing. a central rectangular skylight illuminates the entire area and filters into the stairwell providing a
soft and guiding light to visitors.



light filtering down from above
image © MOVE



common spaces revolve around void within floor
image © MOVE



skylight positioned above stair
image © MOVE



a series of half-walls maintain communication across the common area
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living, dining and kitchen
image © MOVE



(left) corridor
(right) skylight
images © MOVE



floor plan / level 0
image courtesy kouichi kimura



floor plan / level 1
image courtesy kouichi kimura


project info:


architects: form/kouichi kimura architects
location: shiga,japan
client: private
construction year: 2011
site area: 127,8m2
constructed area: 102,67 m2