KINO architects: tokyo balconies

‘tokyo balconies’ by KINO architects in tokyo, japan all images courtesy KINO architects photography by daici ano

japanese practice KINO architects (masahiro kinoshita) has sent us images of their recently finished project, ‘tokyo balconies’, a three-storey dwelling in a high-density neighbourhood of the capital city. composed of four highly discernible volumes stacked on top of one another, the design skews and manipulates the forms in order to generate pie-shaped balconies on each level.

exterior view

located off a busy shopping street in the core of tokyo, the site is defined by a commerce zone to the south and a high-class residential neighbourhood to its north. the project makes most of the differing building regulations – height limit, overall volume – by featuring a below-grade level as well as the balconies, which are not calculated into the building area. the result is a spacious house with a multitude of urban gardens that expand and enhance the qualities of the interior.

street facades

a large exterior terrace on the top floor provides a generous view of the skyscrapers of shinjuku. featuring translucent railings, the outdoor space establishes a direct relationship with the street and the immediate energy of the site.

view from the balcony

kitchen and dining space

dining room by the balcony

lighting

(left) access to balcony (right) exterior balcony

central stairway

schematic diagrams

site plan

floor plan / level -1

floor plan / level 0

floor plan / level +1

floor plan / level +2

section

section

project info:

principal use: private residence structure: wooden, partly reinforced concrete storeys: 1 underground, 3 above grade site area: 49.65 m2 building area: 31.12 m2 total floor area: 103.88 m2