MDS: tamaranzaka house

‘tamaranzaka house’ by MDS, tokyo, japan image © toshiyuki yano all images courtesy of MDS

the ‘tamaranzaka house’ by tokyo-based practice MDS explores the habitation of typically ignored parts within a residential building to maximize the high land prices of tokyo, japan alongside the decreasing size of structures to comply with stricter codes. focusing upon the roof space above the ceiling and area under the floor. exposing the wooden framework of the two-storey structure along with the voids between the horizontal planes produce a sense of texture and volume. a lounging room and workspace are recessed into the lower carved portion while a dining area remains on an elevated platform. generated gaps between the raised floor and actual floor plate become opportunities for storage.

visible from the approach to the dwelling, a single window within the solid concrete exterior reveals a desk and chair which has been positioned to place a computer on the hardwood floor. placed above the attic’s rafters amidst the pitched ceiling, a loft is filled with daylight through the nearby skylight.

ground level entry image © toshiyuki yano

ground level bedroom image © toshiyuki yano

stair to first level images © toshiyuki yano

generated gaps become storage images © toshiyuki yano

(left) recessed lounge area (right) lifted platform creates voids above the floor plate images © toshiyuki yano

living area image © toshiyuki yano

(left) view to dining area from living area (right) bathroom images © toshiyuki yano

recessed workspace and kitchen image © toshiyuki yano

view from recessed work space image © toshiyuki yano

entry elevation image © toshiyuki yano

(left) at night (right) front window shows the working desk recessed into the floor plate images © toshiyuki yano

floor plan / level 0

floor plan / level 1

section

project info:

main use: house site area: 82.79 m2 building area: 33.10m2 total floor area: 65.30 m2