archi LAB. t+m: CNHN / a house with a light well

‘CNHN / a house with a light well’ by archi LAB. t+m, sapporo, japan images courtesy of yoshihiro hashiguchi

japanese practice archi LAB. t+m has created ‘CNHN’, a single family home located in sapporo, japan. enclosed and modest in its form, the design features an impenetrable facade which separates the home from the surrounding industrial neighborhood. mimicking the materiality and proportions of a warehouse, the building both integrates with and contrasts its unlikely environment where manufacturing units and transport trucks dominate.

an internal void positioned between the facade and the main living space draws natural light into the two story structure, which is almost devoid of any additional windows. looking to subtly harmonize interior and exterior environments, the light well acts as a buffer zone between the contrasting contexts, drawing a diffused light into the whole of the home.

inside, changing light conditions alter the simple, neutral atmosphere as it  transitions between direct and indirect sunlight. light and air circulate throughout the home, passing through voids in perpendicular surfaces and entering into private, secondary spaces.

kitchen and dining room

(left) view of entry hall from kitchen (right) entry hall and stairway

living room

view of light well from living room

light well

sky through light well

floor plan / level 0

floor plan / level 1

sections

project info:

site area: 87.9 sq meters building area: 38.1 sq meters total floor area: 67.4 sq meters structure: two storey building in wooden structure construction: marushige akasaka construction