house in raizan forest by rhythmdesign cascades down hillside in japan

house in raizan forest by rhythmdesign cascades down hillside in japan
photo by koichi torimura
all images courtesy of rhythmdesign

informed by a sloping site, japanese architecture studio rhythmdesign has composed the ‘house in raizan forest’ of terraced levels and a slanted bottom elevated above the landscape. located on a vegetated hillside property featuring a 14 meter elevation change, the project maintains the existing topography, and was carried out with nearly no land excavation. the arrangement is comprised of three floors, with the uppermost containing a wide outdoor deck. the living/dining/kitchen area and master bedroom are situated on this level, and feature panoramic views to the forested context below.

elevated above the ground plane, the house’s bottom side slopes with the angle of the topography
photo by koichi torimura

the site is located west of fukuoka city, japan, on a forested hillside containing various holiday residences. the climate features hot and humid summers as well as cold and snowy winters. by elevating the structure above the ground plane, the house is able to stay dry and free from contact with snow.

the scheme minimizes the excavation of land for construction
photo by koichi torimura

two flat roof forms project from a sloping bar
photos by koichi torimura

the upper level provides expansive views to the forested residential context
photo by koichi torimura

photo by koichi torimura

the master bedroom opens onto the outdoor deck
photo by koichi torimura

photos by koichi torimura

the exterior walls are clad entirely of standing seam metal
photos by koichi torimura

photo by koichi torimura

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project info:

location: itoshima, fukuoka pref., japan
structure: steel
site area: 926.96 sqm
building area: 118.58 sqm
gross internal floor area: 117.17 sqm
date of commission: october 2010
date of completion: december 2012
architecture: rhythmdesign
project architect: kenichiro ide
design team: kenichiro ide, yuta kinai
structural engineers: kuroiwa structural engineers
lighting consultant: ushio spax fukuoka
main contractor: hiroichi corporation
photography: koichi torimura