hiraoka architects sets a house on concrete legs on a hilltop in suzaki

japanese hiraoka architects’ house in suzaki, izu peninsula, japan, is set on top of a hill with a beautiful view of the ocean and mountains. to make the view available for the inhabitants, the architects have suspended the transparent box — the living space — and put it on three functional concrete legs.

all images © stirling elmendorf

the concrete ‘boxes’ of hiraoka’s house serve as entrances, while one of them contains an office, from where it is possible to enjoy a different view. on the second floor, both southeast and northwest walls are glass-sided, providing a panoramic view of the rise and set of the sun as well as the change of seasons.

the private area of the house is located in the center, away from the windows at both sides, ensuring that essential facilities for the living would not obstruct the great view. different views can be seen depending on where you are in the house, and the view would shift as time passes by.

project info:

location: suzaki, shimoda-shi, shizuoka prefecture, japan

architects: takahiro & mika hiraoka, hiroaki mizobuchi from hiraoka architects

structural designer: jyunzo harada from steradian associates

construction: architects studio japan inc. shinagawa studio [at international inc. ]

main construction: mixed structure [1st floor: wall type reinforced concrete structure, 2nd floor: timber structure]

site area: 859.00 sqm

building area: 150.58 sqm

total floor area: 129.23 sqm

photography: stirling elmendorf

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: maria erman | designboom