nakasai architects divides house in gankaiji with exterior landscape

nakasai architects divides house in gankaiji with exterior landscape
images © shoichi uchiyama
all images courtesy of nakasai architects

the ‘house in gankaiji’ by japanese studio nakasai architects connects to the surrounding environment through a series of half inside-outside spatial divisions. located in a residential area in the toyama prefecture in japan, the brief outlined for a garage big enough to park two cars, without dominating the volume’s overall sense of proportion. installing two separate garages – one that can be used for other functions if necessary – meant that the inside rooms were framed with a flexible in-between area. this merged exterior also consists of the approach, terrace and middle garden, which contribute to bringing the surrounding landscape into the main living spaces.

various materials are employed throughout, with high levels of light manipulated and pulled through to enhance the illusion of multiple areas. even though it is just one structure, the layout’s carefully crafted divisions, help in fostering the building’s overall sense of connectivity and openness.

the in-between areas are connected by frames of beams that run continuously throughout

(left) the study room leads to the outside landscape
(right) the half-exterior space that frames the entrance

the inside, outside space around the main entrance

view of the japanese-style room that is adjacent to the entrance

view of the study room

the living room merges into the dining space

interior view of the dining space

the living space

view from the approach

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