studio synapse: house in maebashi - tsuduri no ie

'house in maebashi - tsuduri no ie' by studio synapse in maebashi city, gunma, japan
all images courtesy studio synapse
image © koichi torimura


japanese architecture practice studio synapse (mikiya ueki, saori ueki) has sent us images of
'house in maebashi - tsuduri no ie', a single storey dwellingin an old residential district of
gunma, japan. pivoting around a bright and well-ventilated inner courtyard, the design arranges
the internal programs in a pinwheel-fashion to create a flowing connection between
the indoors and outdoors.



internal courtyard
image © koichi torimura


wrapped in a dark skin, the exterior identity of the low-lying structure dramatically contrasts
with the white-washed wooden panels of the central courtyard. the cross-shaped outdoor space
renders the house as a collection of boxes. a series of L-shaped walls dissect the square plan
into four large rooms which gain autonomy and privacy through the buffer zone of the courtyard.
this arrangement extends the sense of space, creating breaks between programs rather than utilizing
and sharing a continuous wall unit.



(left) L-shaped walls around courtyard
(right) entrance
images © koichi torimura


flanked on both sides by windows, the residence has two differing sense of the outdoors
projected inwards - the street and its immediate site, as well as the elements of the internal
courtyard. the rooms are abundantly lit with natural daylight in addition to gaining cross-ventilation.
by creating a layout that revolves around the central outdoor are, a diverse collection of spaces are
created for the individual family members of the house.



circulation space
image © koichi torimura



image © koichi torimura



interior view of kid's room
image © koichi torimura



from kitchen
image © koichi torimura



view of courtyard from living space
image © koichi torimura



master bedroom
image © koichi torimura



(left) view from bedroom
(right) bathroom
images © koichi torimura



floor plan