kitokito's house exudes tranquility within atmospheric japanese residence

‘House S’ is a breezy dwelling in japan

‘House S’ by Kitokito is a two-story minimalistic residence in Japan that offers a dynamic between light and shade. The neighboring house on its south side restricts the light that enters the interior. Nevertheless, the architects sought to reverse this weakness of the site to its advantage, creating a theatrical atmosphere that embraces the inhabitant’s daily life.

To achieve this aspiration, the team opted for high side openings that let some daylight tackle the interior. Besides lighting, they allow the user’s gaze to escape towards the mountain vista. This atmosphere of tranquility that arises is accompanied by a material and textural richness that enlivens under the sun’s rays.

all images by Kitokito 

 a minimalistic breezy residence with warm pops

For ‘House S’, the Hiroshima-based architectural studio sought to generate a minimalistic environment that invites the people who live there to slow down and enjoy the little pleasures of the daily routine. Once entering the house, one encounters a wood stove at the core of the house. When it comes to the materiality, the architects opted for a muted palette of cool greys to create a breezy ambiance combined with warm wooden accents. 

A wooden ceiling with a characteristic slope ushers the owner to a single space that hosts the dining and living area. To further extend the living room, a floor-to-ceiling window opens up completely to a tatami-like deck that is surrounded by a wooden fence for extra privacy. There, family members can enjoy a meal, interact or unwind in the warmth of a tiny fireplace in the center. Overall, Kitokito achieved a balance between minimalism and material richness, subtly evoked through the lighting restriction. 

a thin wooden staircase with sleek metal elements guides the inhabitants to the upper floor

living and dining areas take shape as one united space without partitions

high side windows peek through the mountainous scenery

a combination of cool greys and wooden elements

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project info:

name: HOUSE S

architects: Kitokito 

location: fukuyama city, hiroshima prefecture
first-floor area: 75.04 sqm
second-floor area: 35.71sqm
exterior design / construction: SORA