silver panels mirror japanese cityscape on goya schröder’s wooden-framed residence

a grid layout divides the plan of the residence into squares based on the japanese measuring system.

tottoto edited by thomai tsimpou October 27, 2024 3 min

GOYA SCHRÖDER’s residence draws from japanese tradition

Swiss architecture studio GOYA SCHRÖDER & Associates presents House in Kurume, a project located in a residential area near Kurume City, Japan. The team revisits the traditional forms of the Townhouse (Machiya) and Farmhouse (Nōka) to meet the demands of urban living. A grid layout divides the plan into squares based on the Japanese measuring system. At the same time, a wooden frame unites the interior and extends to the exterior, creating screened spaces and regulating light. On the exterior, silver facade panels, blending with the industrial cityscape of Kurume, reflect the greenery of the garden and the shifting colors of the sky.

silver panels mirror japanese cityscape on goya schröder’s wooden-framed residence - 1 — all images by Mariko Yasaka, courtesy of GOYA SCHRÖDER & Associates

House in Kurume features well-lit, spacious interiors

Set on a small site of less than 200 square meters, Basel-based studio GOYA SCHRÖDER & Associates employs a wooden frame structure that unites interior and exterior spaces. Inside, rooms are arranged on the west side, while the garden and balconies occupy the east. Carefully sized and positioned openings allow light to enter without compromising privacy in this densely populated area. The architects elevate the main living areas to the upper floors to give the residents well-lit, spacious rooms with continuous outdoor spaces. This gesture allows for views of the surrounding landscape and reduces flood risks from the nearby Chikugo River. A large south-facing window brings in sunlight during winter, while an eave provides shade in summer months.

silver panels mirror japanese cityscape on goya schröder’s wooden-framed residence - 2 — GOYA SCHRÖDER & Associates revisits the traditional forms of the Townhouse and Farmhouse

silver panels mirror japanese cityscape on goya schröder’s wooden-framed residence - 3 — a grid layout divides the plan into squares

silver panels mirror japanese cityscape on goya schröder’s wooden-framed residence - 4 — the plan is based on the Japanese measuring system

silver panels mirror japanese cityscape on goya schröder’s wooden-framed residence - 5 — a wooden frame unites the interior and extends to the exterior

silver panels mirror japanese cityscape on goya schröder’s wooden-framed residence - 6 — inspired from japanese design, the frame creates screened spaces and regulates light

silver-panels-industrial-cityscape-goya-schroder-japanese-wooden-framed-residence-10-22-2024-designboom-1800-02 — on the exterior, silver facade panels blend with the industrial cityscape of Kurume

silver panels mirror japanese cityscape on goya schröder’s wooden-framed residence - 7 — rooms are arranged on the west side

silver panels mirror japanese cityscape on goya schröder’s wooden-framed residence - 8 — the garden and balconies occupy the east side

silver-panels-industrial-cityscape-goya-schroder-japanese-wooden-framed-residence-10-22-2024-designboom-1800-03 — carefully sized and positioned openings allow light to enter without compromising privacy

GOYA SCHRÖDER & Associates employs a wooden frame structure to link interior and exterior spaces set on a small site of less than 200 square meters the panels reflect the greenery of the garden and the shifting colors of the sky House in Kurume features well-lit, spacious interiors the architects elevate the main living areas to the upper floors continuous outdoor spaces enhance privacy elevating living spaces allows for views of the surrounding landscape and reduces flood risks a large south-facing window brings in sunlight during winter neutral tones evoke a calm atmosphere Japanese tradition inspires the project wooden surfaces ground the space a pop of pink vivifies the space lighting enhances the calm atmosphere GOYA SCHRÖDER & associates pursues discreet openness the plan consists of 9 squares of 9-Japanese-foot in length inside and 6 more squares outside at night, silver panels reflect the streetlights cross section perspective by GOYA SCHRÖDER & associates east elevation by GOYA SCHRÖDER & associates first floor plan by GOYA SCHRÖDER & associates longitudinal section perspective by GOYA SCHRÖDER & associates second floor plan by GOYA SCHRÖDER & associates site plan by by GOYA SCHRÖDER & associates south elevation by GOYA SCHRÖDER & associates

project info:

name: House in Kurume
architect: GOYA SCHRÖDER & associates | @goyaschroeder

location: Kurume, Japan
photographer: Mariko Yasaka | @marikoyasaka

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