ON design partners: a life with a large opening

‘a life with a large opening’ by ondesign, tokyo, japanimage © ikunori yamamotoall images courtesy of ON design partners

located in the dense urban context of nezu in tokyo, japanese studio ON design has finished the residence titled ‘a life with a large opening.’ while houses are normally built as a single mass, the design was re-imagined within its slender site to provide an exterior space and all the benefits that accompany it such as natural light, ventilation, and a more dynamic circulation through the structure. the archetypal single-volume was broken into two thin forms in parallel, with a void almost right in the middle. the architects studied the use of exterior space in vertical buildings and integrated this in a private manner for the residents. the gap in essence defines the character of the dwelling, as the owners have a constant relationship with it, using it as a garden, an exterior, a balcony, a place to hang clothes.

contextimage © ikunori yamamoto

the thinner of the two masses contains the vertical circulation, aided by catwalks and the larger space to cross over into the actual functions of the house. the vertical living scheme contains the dining room, kitchen and some storage on the ground floor, followed by the bedroom and bathroom, and finally the study and living room on the top floor where the plenty of natural light illuminates a lively space. a thin wood frame construction maximizes the usable area of the interior so it doesn’t feel constricted, with a constant escape to the exterior and views always within arms reach.

gap provides many activities and spill-out zonesimage © ikunori yamamoto

catwalks connect the two structuresimage © ikunori yamamoto

vertical circulation within one volumeimage © ikunori yamamoto

(left) stairs for people(right) stairs for cats in the living roomimage © ikunori yamamoto

kitchen and dining areaimage © ikunori yamamoto

(left) kitchen(right) bathroomimage © ikunori yamamoto

living room and work areaimage © ikunori yamamoto

bedroomimage © ikunori yamamoto

site plan

floor plan / level 01. dining room 2. entrance3. warehouse/ storage

floor plan / level 14. bathroom5. bedroom

floor plan / level 26. living room7. workspace8. bathroom

section

section

aerial view of several balconies in the gap

project info:

place: nezu, bunkyo-ku, tokyoarchitect: osamu nishida+naoko mangyokusite area: 30.07 m2building area: 18.03 m2total floor area: 50.70 m2construction: shineistructure: ryuji tabata/asdphoto: ikunori yamamoto