‘ogikubo house’ by MDS, suginami-ku, tokyo, japanimage © toshiyuki yanoall images courtesy of MDS

 

 

completed by japanese firm MDS, the ‘ogikubo house’ continues the practice’s study in expanding the design palette for the limited and therefore expensive land resource of the densely developed city of tokyo. in the quiet residential area of suginami-ku, the dwelling divides into three volumes that are interconnected with a glass-enclosed stairwell. the tri-part plan breaks from a pattern of monolithic and hermetic structures that excludes exterior spaces by imparting a feeling of openness at its core. the concept of ‘ma’, or ‘gap,’ is an important element in japanese space creation was a driving factor in the area appropriated for the vertical circulation.

 

apertures within the walls of rooms allow activity to spill between the staggered floors. on the first floor, framed views between the living room, dining area and bedroom link the interactions of inhabitants. periphery garden spaces and the street are maintained the urban landscape within the internal atmosphere. the changing of seasons may be experienced while passing between rooms.

 

 

ogikubo house by MDS - 2garage entry from alleyimage © toshiyuki yano

 

 

ogikubo house by MDS - 3(left) front elevation(right) foyerimages © toshiyuki yano

 

 

ogikubo house by MDS - 4(left) stairs to living room (right) view to garage from basementimages © toshiyuki yano

 

 

ogikubo house by MDS - 5view from the living roomimage © toshiyuki yano

 

 

ogikubo house by MDS - 6living roomimage © toshiyuki yano

 

 

ogikubo house by MDS - 7living roomimage © toshiyuki yano

 

 

ogikubo house by MDS - 8bedroomimage © toshiyuki yano

 

 

ogikubo house by MDS - 9dining areaimage © toshiyuki yano

 

 

ogikubo house by MDS - 10enclosure around the stairwayimage © toshiyuki yano

 

 

ogikubo house by MDS - 11dining area at duskimage © toshiyuki yano

 

 

ogikubo house by MDS - 12stairs at nightimage © toshiyuki yano

 

 

ogikubo house by MDS - 13exterior of glass stairwellimage © toshiyuki yano

 

 

ogikubo house by MDS - 14front doorimage © toshiyuki yano

 

 

ogikubo house by MDS - 15exterior at nightimage © toshiyuki yano

 

 

ogikubo house by MDS - 16floor plan / level 0

 

 

ogikubo house by MDS - 17floor plan / level 1

 

 

ogikubo house by MDS - 18floor plan / level 2

 

 

ogikubo house by MDS - 19floor plan / level -1

 

 

ogikubo house by MDS - 20section

 

 

ogikubo house by MDS - 21section

 

 

project info:

 

architecture: kiyotoshi mori & natsuko kawamura / mds photography: toshiyuki yanolocation: suginami-ku, tokyodate of completion: 2009principal use: residence structure: woodsite area: 118.00m2total floor area: 117.18m2 (57.80 m2/1f, 55.23 m2/2f, 23.72 m2/b1f)exterior finish: plastered wallroof: FRPfloor: oak flooringwall: plastered wall