archiplace: house in gunma

‘house in gunma’ by archiplace in gunma, japan all images courtesy archiplace

tokyo-based office archiplace (ishii masahiro, kondo tamiko) has sent us images of ‘house in gunma’, a two-level private residence in the central prefecture of japan. located on a generous plot measuring over 1650 m2, the l-shaped design was conceived to respect and work around a large mature tree on site.

exterior view

standing diagonally from an adjacent clinic, the low-standing house is wrapped in a series of vertically-running metallic panels. the entrance leads in behind the tree and leads into a living room that has the capacity to fully open up to the outdoor garden. outfitted with built-in furniture, the interior eliminates the need for space-dividing elements. the double-height area is illuminated by lines of clerestories that extends the space vertically.

front elevation

a small loft level above the kitchen provides a private nook that overlooks the tree outside. primarily finished in concrete and light-coloured surfaces, the house maximizes its daylighting effect, cutting down the inhabitants’ energy costs.

interior view

clerestory

sliding glass doors

loft level

in context

site plan

floor plan / level 0

floor plan / level +1

cross section

project info:

site area: 274.04 m2 building area: 98.96 m2 total floor area: 109.51 m2 structure: reinforced concrete storeys: 2