on the outside, there isn’t a whole lot special about this japanese home. like most of its neighbors, it’s a 50-year-old ready built home; yet, after a recent renovation this abode has a few unique features, including a trap door. it’s the project of an architecture firm called persimmon hills.
all images by kenta hasegawa
the dwelling was designed and built by the architect for his mother. he incorporated her feedback and needs to make the home ideal for her purposes and comfort. the architect also claims to have gotten a hand from her in the construction, thanks mom. the project was fairly simple and the design focused on one problem more than any other — i.e. bringing light into the dark abode that has no courtyards. the easy solution seems fairly obvious now when presented, but it was kind of a breakthrough and something you don’t see everyday.
the upstairs with the trap door closed
the architect’s solution was to install a trap door between floors. the bottom is painted white and this allows the light from a nearby window to reflect off it and shine down into the space below. the upstairs can be further utilized by guests with the pull of a rope. this way the mother can unitize her house at its fullest potential.
the architects mother working downstairs with the aid of natural light
a depiction of the simple system
and once again closed
another shot of the upstairs
a close up of the system
the architect’s playful use of materials
fine woodwork depicted in the trap door
the open plan of the home
truly a comfortable space
the simple house has more than meets the eye
project info:
architect: yusuke kakinoki + shuhei hirooka / persimmon hills architects
principal use: private residence
construction: tomohisa ito, shuhei hirooka, hiroyuki shimada, jumpei komori, kota sugimoto, katsuya yamagishi, ryohei nishimoto
photography: kenta hasegawa
building area: 32 sqm
total floor area: 56 sqm
number of stories: 2 stories
structure: wood
architecture in japan (486 articles)
kengo kuma is designing a starbucks reserve roastery for tokyo
ikawaya architects' seven gardens house is arranged in a checkered pattern
mio tachibana architects completes 'hinge' house with a gable roof & paulownia wood
kenta eto's 'house usuki' in japan has sloped roof you can sit on and admire the view
yoshimasa tsutsumi's restaurants in chengdu draw from traditional japanese typologies
studio velocity's kowa apartments in japan encourage interaction between neighbors
persimmon hills (2 articles)
persimmon hills architects converts illegal sex shop in japan into wedge-shaped art gallery
architecture news
architects turn bangkok townhouses into modern multilayered office
#architecture
the interiors take advantage of the industrial look of the raw concrete structure, adding glossy elements and green lively splashes to contrast the strict mood.
the interiors take advantage of the industrial look of the raw concrete structure, adding glossy elements and green lively splashes to contrast the strict mood.
this prefabricated shelter clings to a mountain peak in the italian alps
#architecture
at an altitude of 3,290 meters (10,794 feet), the bivouac seeks to encourage the exploration of the isolated area and its nearby mountaineering routes.
at an altitude of 3,290 meters (10,794 feet), the bivouac seeks to encourage the exploration of the isolated area and its nearby mountaineering routes.
TOP 10 reader submissions of 2018 – public spaces
#architecture
from a water sports center in denmark to a dim sum restaurant in hong kong, we highlight 10 of the most impactful public spaces from our 2018 readers submission.
from a water sports center in denmark to a dim sum restaurant in hong kong, we highlight 10 of the most impactful public spaces from our 2018 readers submission.
sou fujimoto's 'white tree' grows to its full height in the south of france
#architecture
with the mixed-use tower nearing completion, photographer vincent hecht visited the site to document its progress.
with the mixed-use tower nearing completion, photographer vincent hecht visited the site to document its progress.
Very cool idea! I like the mix of materials.
How much does the door weigh? I would have probably used a crank and pulley system, which would be easier to operate and wouldn’t require the large galvanized pipes.
I also wonder what this room looked like originally. It appears that most of the 4×4 posts are notched out for some reason.
A smart solution! In the Alps, this type of door was used in every house. In my new one, I installed one with a counterweight: the door can be opened without effort and remains in any desired position. :-)k
Glass is quite rea$onable, and technically stronger than ever before. Cleaner look. Safer solution.
Running the rope over the pipe works against you when lifting as you must pull harder to overcome the friction. When lowering, the friction makes it a little bit easier to control the door as inertia tries to speed it up.
The addition of a pulley at the pipe and another one at the door would allow the line to be rigged in “two parts” and cut the required pull in half to handle the door.
The system would remain simple yet be much easier to operate.
As mentioned above a glass cover, or some sort of cargo mesh, over the trap door space makes sense. Present design is wicked falling trap for the unaware.
But is the architect’s mom strong enough to lift this door? Because at one point in her life she might need to ask her son to change this solution, it looks quite heavy. Even so, such a great idea! I’d love to live in this little house 🙂