MDS constructs concrete-clad shirokane house in tokyo

MDS constructs concrete-clad shirokane house in tokyo
all photos by forward stroke inc.
all images courtesy of MDS

a modest site in tokyo loans its location for a dwelling composed of cedar and exposed board-formed concrete, by MDS architects. the desire to develop a floor area as large as possible in a narrow site was achieved by designing a structural form that bends outward.

with an alteration from a more common rectangular shaped layout, the ‘shirokane’ home is further characterized with an off-centered pitched roof. zoning regulations and a neighboring parking lot limit the sizing of the building. therefore, the second floor expands in volume as a walnut staircase links the three levels of the house. the ground floor functions simply as an entry, dining, and kitchen area; with bedrooms situated beneath this space. a concealed study and a living room, which bleeds out to a roof terrace, occupy the second floor. natural light floods from the top of ‘shirokane’ with large windows carved out of the exterior.

a view into the living room from the roof deck

a humble dining and kithen area illuminated from windows above

the stair unifies the ‘shirokane’ from basement to rooftop floors

furniture is built in to the parameters of the walls on the second level, expanding the area

detail of the walnut staircase

white plastered interior walls assist in illuminating spaces

the concrete exterior of the dwelling is more notable during the day

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project info:

architects: kiyotoshi mori & natsuko kawamura / MDS
location: minato-ku, tokyo
date of completion: 2013
principal use: residence
site area: 64.49m2
total floor area: 101.63 m2 (-1f-31.02 m2/1f-35.84m2/2f-34.37 m2)
exterior finish: cedar forms exposed concrete
roof: exposed concrete
floor: walnut flooring
wall: plasterer / cedar forms exposed concrete
ceiling: acrylic emulsion paint + plaster board
photography: forward stroke inc.