takeshi shikauchi’s checkered house brings wood back to urban japan
all images courtesy of koichi torimura

 

 

 

modern fireproofing restrictions, in addition to a constantly increasing population density, have all but extinguished the wooden home in urban japan. very few homeowners are still able to build the structures, which face steep costs in order to be compliant with laws. as result, urban japan has become a mecca of industrialized homes.

takeshi shikauchi checkered house japan designboom
checkered façade detail 

 

 

 

the ‘checkered house’ is a modern interpretation of a wooden dwelling; capable of surpassing disaster prevention and maintenance rules, without breaking the bank. designed by takeshi shikauchi, the home is an amalgamation of both metal and wood. beneath a deep overhang, is a checkered wall of structural plywood, glass, and cedar panelling.

takeshi shikauchi checkered house japan designboom
under eave space 

 

 

 

thanks to the deep overhang, the wood is shaded from two of the most detrimental causes of wood deterioration: UV exposure and rain. the interior of the wooden façade provides the owner with floor to ceiling shelving. here, small articles can be stored, which simultaneously gives the space a sense of privacy. beneath the large eave is a cement slab used for parking, relaxing, or other various uses. 

takeshi shikauchi's checkered house brings wood back to urban japan
windows and shelving 

takeshi shikauchi's checkered house brings wood back to urban japan
living, dining, and kitchen areas 

takeshi shikauchi checkered house japan designboom
light reflections 

takeshi shikauchi's checkered house brings wood back to urban japan
interior at night

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small articles give the home a sense of privacy 

takeshi shikauchi checkered house japan designboom
exterior at night

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plan

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section

takeshi shikauchi checkered house japan designboom
diagram

 

 

project info:

 

project: checkered house
design: takeshi shikauchi architect office
structural design: ohno japan
collaborative design: yuko suzuki architecture office
location: tokyo, japan
total area: 117.9m2
completion: march 2015
construction: shinei
photographer: koichi torimura

 

 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: nick brink | designboom