atelier hako architects cantilevers minamikarasuyama house

atelier hako architects cantilevers minamikarasuyama house
image © shinsuke kera/urban arts
all images courtesy of atelier hako architects

positioned on a long and narrow site, the ‘house at minamikarasuyama’ by japanese studio atelier hako architects offers its inhabitants both a sense of privacy and connection to the outside world. located in japan, the building accommodates two generations with separate ground floor entrances for each. the divided private areas are stacked vertically with a large cantilever over the entry point, which contains the bedrooms. the open space created below provides a buffer for the volume between the surrounding neighbors and the street edge. future development plans for the site include a possible apartment block on the south side, which resulted in windows being located on the long east and west axis of the house. a suspended terrace on the interior is encased with glass, giving the feeling that one is sitting outside, while also filtering light through to the living spaces below. the distribution of brightness within and the silhouette of the shadow cast changes dramatically throughout the year, offering a constantly evolving environment.

exterior view from the street
image © shinsuke kera/urban arts

under the terrace looking towards the pedestrian path
image © shinsuke kera/urban arts

upper floor living and dining area with the suspended terrace void
image © shinsuke kera/urban arts

(left) upper floor dining area looking towards the terrace covered with glass
(right) view of the terrace over the living area with the neighbor’s tree beyond
image © shinsuke kera/urban arts

upper floor living and dining area with light filtering through from the terrace above

upper floor stair detail

ground floor living, dining and kitchen area
image © shinsuke kera/urban arts

back facade with pergola and louvers for privacy
image © shinsuke kera/urban arts 

plan

section

project info:

name: house at minamikarasuyama
architect: yukinobu nanashima + tomomi sano / atelier hako architects
structural engineer: shin’itsu hiraoka / hiraoka structural engineers
photographer: shinsuke kera/urban arts, all images courtesy of atelier hako architects
completion: march 2013
location: minamikarasuyama, setagaya ward, tokyo
primary usage: private residence for two generations
structure: reinforced concrete, three stories above ground
clients: couple and two children and their parents
site area: 131.08 m2
building area: 77.63 m2
total floor space: 186.15 m2

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