studio SUMO and obayashi corp. complete iHouse dormitory in japan

with a declining population in japan, universities are trying to attract an increasingly international student body for both long and short term stays — as seeen in the IHouse dormitory and international center developed by studio SUMO and obayashi corporation. this institution for approximately 140 students efficiently houses, educates, and integrates a population both culturally and economically diverse via a collection of shared public spaces and rooms. these allow josai university educational corp. to offer accommodations for as little as $80/month, and are particularly geared towards students of modest means from emerging asian and eastern european countries.

south facade at night
all images ©  kawasami kobayashi / kudoh photography ltd.

studio SUMO and obayashi corporation‘s project is located along the main access road of josai university educational group, on the edge of an expanse of rice fields. it is comprised of a 9-meter wide dormitory bar hovering over the international center that projects out to engage the landscape. the center includes a gallery, archive room, and event space in memory of the late prince takamado who helped break the japan/korea partnership that hosted the 2002 world cup. furthermore, the building includes a diversity of student housing — from single and double rooms with private baths, to four-bed spaces with shared bathing facilities. 

main building entry via a void in the bar, at ground level 

one enters the building off the campus road, through a void in the bar that separates both programs at ground level. a louvered surface dispersed along projected balconies covers the exterior walkways of the dormitory rooms facing the rice fields. this surface integrates off-the-shelf aluminum shutters of different dimensions, each cantilevering its maximum allowable extension past a vertical support. this creates an interwoven texture in both elevation and section.

building entry court showing the interwoven effect of the louvered surface 

the shutter-like façade masks the dormitory and creates a unified surface, reflecting a single identity. at sunset, the south-facing aluminum surface takes in the sun over the day, transforming the building from white, to silver, and orange hues. behind the louvered façade, multiple sliding glass doors open onto the walkways, recalling the ‘engawa’ space of traditional japanese houses. the provision of shared spaces, walkway, and balcony system expand the dwelling into the outdoors.

vertical ‘engawa’ space recalls traditional japanese houses 

second floor student terrace 

approach along the southern façade 

the aluminum skin aims at unifying the dormitory program and creates a singular identity 

the louvered surface masks the walkways right outside the dorm rooms 

community balconies expand the compressed living space into the outdoors

the shutter-like façade track the sun during the day, shifting from white to yellow-orange hues at sunset 

four-bed dormitory room 

project info:

project name: iHouse dormitory
client: josai university educational corp.
design architect: studio SUMO
architect of record: obayashi corporation, tokyo – koji onishi (general manager); toshimichi takei (manager); atsuko mori (deputy manager); mao shigeishi, hikaru takei

M/E/structural/civil/geotechnical engineer: obayashi corp.
construction manager/general contractor/landscape architect/construction supervision: obayashi corp.
lighting designer: studio SUMO, obayashi corp.
project location: togane-shi, chiba-ken, japan
completion year: 2016
gross built area: 2, 803 sq. m

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: lea zeitoun | designboom

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