Unemori Architects have designed a small house for a married couple and their child. It is located in a densely populated area of Tokyo. Despite the close proximity of neighboring houses, the designer aimed to create a space that transcends the physical limitations of living in a city. The 4m x 4m building was placed in the center of the 34m2 site area, with space left around it for the flow of light and wind. By doing so, the designer was able to avoid setback regulations and create a 9m high volume that resembles a tower.
The interior of the house is simple, with four floor boards separated by a spiral stairway. The extremely thin floor boards (70mm thick) allow for a seamless connection between the different floors of the house. The space around the house is designed to let in light and wind, and the walls of the rooms are lined with large windows that are positioned to harmonize with the surrounding environment.
The windows, particularly on the second and third floors, are large enough to change the view inside the room dramatically when opened or closed. There is also a large hinged door in each room on the second and third floor, which when opened, allows light and wind to envelop the inside of the room as if it were outside. By creating thin floor boards that connect the different areas of the house, and large windows that open to the city, the designer aimed to break down the boundaries between the upstairs and downstairs, inside and outside, and the house and the town, ultimately creating a broader image of what a house can be.
Photography: Ken Sasajima, Shinkenchiku-sha
