'ant house' by spacespace
image courtesy spacespace architects
all photos by koichi torimura

japanese architectural firm spacespace architects designed ‘ant house’, a one story apartment
located in shibuya ku, tokyo.

the building had not been maintained for 43 years, therefore the project required a full-scale
renovation including bathroom and kitchen at low cost.

'we dug ahead in soil to make rooms and furniture and connect each space, it seemed
like a nest of ants. in future, the remaining space will be dug out again for rooms,
closets or furniture. we accordingly had a new way which can treat form of space
and actual problems (like low cost or future prediction) all at once.'

6 doors at 3 places are switched open and close, so the both spaces are dug out,
connected and filled in 64 ways.


image courtesy spacespace architects


image courtesy spacespace architects


image courtesy spacespace architects


image courtesy spacespace architects


image courtesy spacespace architects


image courtesy spacespace architects


image courtesy spacespace architects


image courtesy spacespace architects


image courtesy spacespace architects


general info
site: shibuya-ku, tokyo, japan
completion: august, 2007
structure: wood(interior), 1 story
gross floor area: 48.49m2
client: private
structural engineer: ken okada