coo planning: house in konan, japan

‘house in konan’ by coo planning, kobe city, japanimage © yuko tadaall images courtesy of coo planning

a simple spatial composition characterizes a vertical home in kobe city, japan by osaka-based coo planning. built of reinforced concrete and wood, the home’s program is distributed throughout a modest footprint over four levels. the heart of the dwelling is a double height, open area comprised of the kitchen and living room. this central void is the main hub of activity for the family of three and is fitted with a orthogonal frontispiece of glazing, allowing the space to be awash with daylight. a residence of layers, the building also sports a mezzanine study area that’s open to the living room and kitchen below it. bedrooms, bathrooms and tatami rooms are smartly composed and spatially consolidated so as to accommodate the mid-level open space. 

the entrance level hovers above the garageimage © yuko tada

entrance foyer occupies the space below the stairimage © yuko tada

one of the tatami rooms is in the principal hallwayimage © yuko tada

the heart of the home is the open, double height space containing the kitchen, living and dining areasimage © yuko tada

view into the kitchen

image © yuko tada

bedroom view with a raw wood floor

image © yuko tada

bathrooms are kept minimal

image © yuko tada

tatatmi room number two

image © yuko tada

view up from the second floor study room

image © yuko tada

the quieter, mezzanine study room juts out over the main central gathering area

image © yuko tada

view from the upper level

image © yuko tada

view of the living area

image © yuko tada

material changes indicate program changes within the large, central void area

image © yuko tada

glazing allows city views from the center of the home

image © yuko tada

kitchen view

image © yuko tada

daytime exterior highlights the verticality of the project 

image © yuko tada

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