tomohiro tanaka architect atelier: cabin-et house

'cabin-et house' by tomohiro tanaka architect atelier in hirai, tokyo, japan
all images courtesy tomohiro tanaka architect atelier
image © toshiyuki yano


tokyo-based practice tomohiro tanaka architect atelier has shared with us images of 'cabin-et house',
a three-storey private residence for a couple and their two cats in hirai, japan. situated on a small site
measuring just over 54 m2, the design eliminates internal partitions to maximize the available
floor space, resulting in a compositional arrangement of one room per each floor.



street view
image © toshiyuki yano


located on a corner plot, the monolithic structure stands tightly to the boundaries of the street
with a slight step-back from the front to accommodate a parking space near the entrance.
the angled slice is continued to the roof of the house, resulting in an elevation that faces the street
at a slanted orientation. a single-sloping roof to the north coupled with the asymmetrical footprint
of the house creates a subtle optical illusion to the exterior, changing its perceived form at
different vantage points.



front elevation
image © toshiyuki yano


spread over three levels, the arrangement of the interior spaces is left ambiguous and neutral
with no clear break in between. windows placed in different directions lend a unique perspective
to each floor while naturally illuminating the room. a gradient of materiality - from concrete to
hardwood - is used from the ground floor up, providing a distinct identity and atmosphere for each space.
translucent panels form the only partitions within the residence, providing privacy and separation
for the main staircase and the bathroom. keeping the feline residents in mind, a free-standing
shelving unit serves as a scaffolding system, providing access from the bedroom floor to
the living space above.



interior view of living space
image © toshiyuki yano



towards window
image © toshiyuki yano



from living space
image © toshiyuki yano



main staircase
image © toshiyuki yano



translucent panels by staircase
image © toshiyuki yano



image © toshiyuki yano



bedroom level
image © toshiyuki yano



image © toshiyuki yano



(left) shelving / scaffolding system
(right) opening in the third floor for cats
images © toshiyuki yano



image © toshiyuki yano



bathroom
image © toshiyuki yano



ground floor
image © toshiyuki yano



night view
image © toshiyuki yano



floor plan / level 0



floor plan / level +1



floor plan / level +2


project info:

site area: 52.68 m2
total floor area: 99.18 m2
     level 0: 33.03 m2
     level +1: 33.23 m2
     level+2: 32.92 m2
structure: steel

structural engineers: taketo sato / structural design office K & S
construction: watanabe tomi corporation