hideaki takayanagi: life in spiral

‘life in spiral’ by hideaki takayanagi, tokyo, japan all images courtesy of hideaki takayanagi

‘life in spiral’, a dwelling by tokyo-based practice hideaki takayanagi, explores the concept of opening and closing towards the city of tokyo, japan. a narrow site dictated a four-storey dwelling, introducing a 3-dimensional engawa in the form of a ribbon which winds its way through the centralized vertical circulation, also creating perimeter rooms along the glazed facade. providing shade throughout the interior, the angled partial wall defines and separates the rooms while allowing daylight to enter.

stackable vertical shutters along the perimeter glass offer privacy to inhabitants as desired, allowing either a transparent window or a screened wall to exist, producing a serendipitous relationship with daily activity within the home and inward views from passersby.

street elevation

aerial view

aerial view of roof

(left) ground level study (right) first floor dining room

kitchen + dining

floor to ceiling window opens to outdoors while a glass panel protects inhabitants from falling

view of dining + living area from kitchen

living area

(left) stairs (right) bathroom on second level

sink

master bathroom

bedroom

view into the ground level study

spiraling stairway

model

model of interior program

model detail

study model

site plan

floor plan / level 0

floor plan / level 1

floor plan / level 2

floor plan / level -1

roof plan

section

spiral detail

wall section detail

project info:

project name: life in spiral location: tokyo, jpn plot size: 50.0sq. meter built area: 29.8sq. meter total floor area: 109sq. meter