The main feature of the project was an extremely narrow plot of land, only 4 by 30 meters. In Japan, such long and narrow plots of land are called “eel beds” (eel’s bed), write Dezeen.
Photo: Daici Ano
Due to dense development on the north side and the likelihood of new development to the south, the main challenge for the architects was to provide the building with natural light.
To address this issue, the architects created two vertical skylights, inspired by traditional Japanese machiya townhouse architecture, that run through all three floors of the building, allowing daylight and air to enter the narrow volume.
Photo: Daici Ano
“In a traditional machiya, a passage garden and small courtyards bring light and air deep into the long, narrow building. Here we have taken this technique to the vertical dimension, reimagining it as an element that runs through all three floors,” said Tato Architects founder Yo Shimada.
According to him, it was these two openings that allowed the deep and narrow mid-rise building to be transformed into both a work space and a residence.
Photo: Daici Ano
The skylights not only provide lighting, but also serve as vertical communication cores that divide the living area into two wings, east and west. On the ground floor, between them, there is a large ceramics studio.
The central space features zigzag stairs and bridges that connect the two wings of the building. The stair landings are made of fiberglass, a material that allows light to flow down into the studio while also helping to reduce noise from the workspace.
Photo: Daici Ano
Both sides of the central opening are lined with full-height translucent glass walls, which provide additional light to the studio on the ground floor and the corridors and stairwell areas above.
The total area of the house is 321 square meters, making it the largest newly built residential project in the studio’s portfolio at the time of implementation.
However, the architects did not see it solely as a private home. Since the ceramics studio can host visitors from other countries, the building was also conceived as a place for creating and showcasing work.
“The studio can also host visitors from abroad, and we conceived the building as a place for creativity and exhibitions. In this sense, it is designed on the scale of a public space rather than a private residence,” said Yo Shimada.
On the west side, facing the street, is a guest bedroom with a private bathroom. Above it is a common space with a living room, dining room and kitchen. It is complemented by a faceted wooden ceiling, and slatted panels let in light from the upper skylight.
On the opposite side of the house is another guest bedroom and a study. Above them is the master bedroom. Small square openings in the walls create visual connections between these rooms and the central part of the house.
We previously wrote that MVRDV created WOMA — a new hub for fashion, art, and creativity in Miami.
See also:
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A former industrial workshop in the Czech Republic was transformed into an art gallery
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