arbol design wraps family house in metal cladding in kawachinagano, japan

positioned next to a river in a quiet residential area of kawachinagano, japan, arbol design has realized a one-storey family house. the main concept behind the project is based on the client’s passion for furniture and the resulting spaces intend to highlight their personal collection of beautiful pieces.

all images courtesy of arbol design

the house in kawachinagano has been designed by arbol to consider the site and its proximity to the river. with this in mind, the street-facing elevation provides privacy for the family while the rear façade opens up to the water below and views of the mountains beyond. in essence, the new intervention becomes a link between the river and urban daily life.

the program of the house stretches horizontally to follow the flow of the river. upon entering, an open-plan living and dining area greets residents. from this space, a wooden deck and garden become the setting to showcase the client’s collection of furniture while also acting as a place to enjoy the outdoor environment. the second half of the house comprises of more private spaces, such as bedrooms, storage, the utility room and kitchen.

the interior of the house in kawachinagano is defined by a simple, minimal style, in an effort to let the furniture stand out as the main event. white painted walls help to create light, airy spaces, while the timber floors and deck bring an element of warmth to the design. the monopitch roof also slopes to a steep gradient, bringing in natural daylight and embracing the meandering river below.

regarding the structure, the building is constructed from a timber frame, which has been designed without the use of any columns in the interior, providing unobstructed spaces. the exterior shell is covered in metal standing seam sheeting, which wraps around the volume, creating a uniform aesthetic and defined character from the outside. overall, with its minimal interior and prime position, the house in kawachinagano results in a calm living space and the perfect place to highlight the client’s furniture collection.

project info:

project name: house in kawachinagano

architect: arbol design

location: kawachinagano, osaka, japan

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: lynne myers | designboom