a sweeping introverted facade shelters artist's split-leveled home studio in tokyo

Tan Yamanouchi & AGWL complete home studio in tokyo

In central Tokyo, Japan, Tan Yamanouchi & AGWL completes an introverted home and atelier for an up-and-coming artist. Deriving from ancient Japanese thought, the compact dwelling is envisioned to ‘float a few centimeters above our daily lives’, creating a space that remains tied to our tangible daily life while evoking a sense of fictional narrative.

Amid a streetscape of ordinary geometric residences, its sculptural facade emerges from the ground in one continuous sweep, punctuated by only a dramatic tunnel leading to an entrance. Within, the architects rearrange the existing program to accommodate for all of the family’s private living needs while creating spaces for the artist to complete her work and network. A variety of public and private spaces are spread and united across a system centered around a continuous ‘void’ that winds through the space’s dynamic split levels, marked by contrasts of dynamic sequences and plays of light juxtapozed with shadows.

all images by Katsumasa Tanaka

a winding void system separates living spaces from work

The project began with the elevation which as per the client’s request, had to ensure an introverted front for the home. Along the street the home emerges dynamically from the ground, taking shape as a fluid warped earthquake-resistant wall, just like the image of the earth rolling up. A dramatic hollowed tunnel leads to the entrance, inviting visitors to step away from the ordinary into the extraordinary.

Inside, Tan Yamanouchi & AGWL redesigned the overall plan to make efficient use of the long, narrow plot of land with an existing split-level floor plan, rearranged the sequence to create substantial differences in elevation. Further, the architects significantly limited the number of openings so as to create a contrast between light and dark in a ‘void’ spreading through the home — with the exception of a small light court integrated with the north of the home.

Tan Yamanouchi & AGWL complete home studio in Tokyo

In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the lifestyles of artists have seen a notable shift. Increasingly working from home due to online production becoming the new mainstream norm, artists have begun dedicating spaces in their private homes to serve as meeting spaces and studios for media interviews. As a result, ensuring the client has ample space to keep this public and private function separate yet easily accessible, while ensuring each corner sparks creativity and comfort, Tan Yamanouchi & AGWL designed the interior and program as a ‘void’ with contrasts of highs and lows and lights and darks to create unenclosed yet defined areas.

Referred to as ‘ponds and banks’ by the architects, these zones accommodate for the need for a variety of public and private shades throughout the space, and  allow for subtle and flexible use of space in a very compact dwelling. Further, a wooden stairway runs up through the void, creating a three-dimensional composition that sparks a narrative experienced through the body.

the compact dwelling is envisioned to ‘float a few centimeters above our daily lives’

a continuous ‘void’ winds through the space’s dynamic split levels

the reconfigured program accommodates private living spaces alongside the artist’s studio

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project info:

name: A Japanese Artist’s House

location: Tokyo, Japan
architecture: Tan Yamanouchi & AWGL

principal architect: Tan Yamanouchi

structural engineer: Graph Studio / Yuko Mihara Construction

construction: Taishin Kensetsu / Yasuhiro Ikebe, Keisuke Nishide

building area: 44.16 sqm

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: ravail khan | designboom