studio velocity: montblanc house

‘montblanc house’ by studio velocity all images courtesy studio velocity

okazaki-based practice studio velocity has completed ‘montblanc house’, a three-storey dwelling with a small salon in a quiet residential area of japan. enclosed by three neighbouring buildings, the design seeks to generate pockets of open space that maintain its privacy and views toward the mountains despite its tight site.

view from terrace

featuring a deep inclined roof, the house is playfully over-sized in its architectural elements, manipulating the scale of windows through large voids in the exterior shell. the openings – five in all –  establish a direct connection to the outside, providing abundant natural light and air, as well as views to the scenery. devoid of any glazing, the boundary between inside and outside is rendered ambiguous, creating unconventional outdoor space that is partially sheltered such as the roof terrace.

roof top space

with the interior volume set apart from the exterior shell, private moments are created in the interstitial space: on the ground floor, a small garden is accommodated next to the dining room; two outdoor terraces on the second level further integrates the living space with the exterior.

large void in exterior shell

outdoor spaces

view from roof

private garden

view of garden from kitchen and dining

general view

site plan

floor plan / level 0

floor plan / level +1

roof plan

section 1

section 2

section 3