tato architects suspends stilted house in kawanishi

tato architects suspends stilted house in kawanishi
photo by shinkenchiku sha
all images courtesy of tato architects

situated in hyogo, japan, ‘house in kawanishi’ by tato architects references stilted dwellings commonly found in queensland, australia. ‘queenslanders’, as they are known, are customarily timber structures with a balcony encircling the elevated level.

in order to give the house the privacy is requires, the design team were faced with a difficult challenge, as constructing a wall at the plot’s narrow edge would mean restricted pedestrian access. instead, set back from the sidewalk, the ground floor forms a protected and sheltered volume with a retractable door providing both seclusion and security. above, the upper storey is suspended above the pathway, maximizing internal space.

a retractable door provides both seclusion and security from the passing street
photo by shinkenchiku sha

using the boundary of the neighbor’s concrete block wall, a partition has been built to the south, which crosses the interior volume of the property – accommodating the site’s change in gradient. internally, the plan is defined by its grid formation with four shifted primary volumes. living accommodation is housed on the ground floor, with three bedrooms positioned above, while a brightly lit study area offers views across the neighborhood. clad in lauan plywood, the upper level provides a strong visual contrast with the lower floor. a hipped roof encloses the structure, where a chimney offers ventilation for the entire property.

a utility space comprising a desk and motorbike storage
photo by shinkenchiku sha

the glazed kitchen and dining room at the north west edge of the site
photo by shinkenchiku sha

an area of relaxation within the property
photo by shinkenchiku sha

(left) the home’s dining area at ground floor level
(right) a skylight brings natural light into the heart of the home
photo by shinkenchiku sha

a brightly lit study area offers views across the neighborhood
photo by shinkenchiku sha

clad in lauan plywood, the upper level provides a strong visual contrast with the ground floor
photo by shinkenchiku sha

evening view from the adjacent road
photo by shinkenchiku sha

photo by shinkenchiku sha

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project info:

name: house in kawanishi
location of site: hyogo, japan
site area: 120.54 sqm
building area: 59.84 sqm
total floor area: 107.73 sqm
type of construction: steel
program: residential
project by: tato architects
principal designer: yo shimada
design period: november 2010 – august 2012
construction period: march 2013 – august 2013
structure engineer: S3 associates inc.(ichiro hashimoto)
photography: shinkenchiku sha