fumiaso architect & associates: y house

‘y house’ by fumiaso architect & associates all images courtesy fumiaso architect & associates image © kenta hasegawa

japanese practice fumiaso architect & associates has sent us images of ‘y house’, a renovation project to a 40 year old residence in kobe, japan. utilizing a series of knee braces to give structure to the pre-existing framework, the design is a cost-effective intervention that opens up the layout into a free-flowing living space.

street elevation image © kenta hasegawa

situated on a long and narrow site with limited access to the street, the project seeks alternative ways to gain natural daylight into its interior. the original gable roof is lifted on one side to result in a single-sloped form that opens up to the back of the plot. a loft space is generated through this gain in vertical height, providing a private room with a small outdoor terrace. an open system of wood trusses combined with elements of the old building maintain a sense of connection by providing a visual connection between the loft and the level below.

street view image © kenta hasegawa

in order to naturally illuminate the majority of the house, the layout is devoid of partition walls between programs. the second storey, which accommodates the kitchen, dining, and living room, is arranged in a linear fashion with a private room to the back that can be separated by a system of sliding walls. the riser of the staircase utilizes a translucent material to minimize light blockage.

interior view from dining space image © kenta hasegawa

windows image © kenta hasegawa

view towards kitchen and dining image © kenta hasegawa

detail of knee braces image © kenta hasegawa

view from loft image © kenta hasegawa

ladder leading up to loft level image © kenta hasegawa

loft image © kenta hasegawa

back terrace on loft level image © kenta hasegawa

(left) entrance (right) staircase images © kenta hasegawa

washroom image © kenta hasegawa

original wood structure with the new framework image © kenta hasegawa

street view at night image © kenta hasegawa

raised roofform image © kenta hasegawa

schematic diagram

site map

floor plan / level 0

floor plan / level +1

floor plan / level +2 

section

project info:

principal use: residence site area: 33.37 m2 total floor area: 61.03 m2 structure: wood