geo-graphic design lab stacks huts on a slope for family residence in takarazuka, japan

geo-graphic design lab has combined a series of huts for a private residence on a sloped site in takarazuka, japan, for a family who spends a lot of its time outdoors. in designing, the studio’s founder maeda shigeki referred to the slope villages in greece, morocco, and algeria, drawing from their characteristic of creating a sense of distance to neighboring residences without overdoing the conditions of the topography, water supply and drainage. closely following the topography and the way of living of friends and family, the studio has created a rough, semi-outdoor space, forming a landscape for daily life.all images by yohei sasakura

geo-graphic design lab developed the takarazuka huts residence based on the client’s wish to ‘make the whole site a garden, and create a relaxing place and landscape.’ as the slope below the site is takarazuka city’s green space, the view to the osaka plain is semi-permanently secured, while the whole site has been built with the desire to secure a private garden where children can play, on a slope with a height difference of 8.5 m. a concrete base receiving earth pressure as a retaining wall and containing a bedroom and a water circumference has been installed as low on the site as possible, while the different huts are stacked gradually on it.

on top of the concrete base, geo-graphic design lab has created a roof terrace, connected with the main residence via a bridge surrounded by pines, green trees, and the stones and gravels collected when drilling the slope. the living-dining volume has been opened up to 110°, creating an indoor view as well as making the garden and surrounding landscape part of the living space. the huts seem to be dispersed from the north road, but in the interior space everything is connected like a rock dwelling. there is a children’s room and a work space at the top of the living room, while the volume of the two-story cabin also plays a role in protecting the roof terrace from harsh sunlight and ensuring enough privacy for the residents.

project info:

name: takarazuka huts

architect: geo-graphic design lab

location: takarazuka city, hyogo prefecture, japan

team: shigeki maeda / kosuke kimura

landscape design: toshiya ogino

structure planning: mitsuda structural consultants – eisuke mitsuda / keisuke umino

lighting: new lighting pottery – hiroyuki nagatomi / chizu nara

construction company: beams construction co., ltd. – takuya okusaka / koichi kanemoto

structure: basement in reinforced concrete, huts in wooden structure

number of floors: 3 floors above ground

elevation height: 6.98m

maximum height: 8.22m

site area: 320.41 m2

building area: 98.61 m2 (building coverage 29.28%, allowed 50%)

total floor area: 221.43 m2 (volume ratio 41.75% 100% allowed)
(first floor: 40.61 m2 / second floor: 61.06 m2 / third floor: 32.03 m2)