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