hiromu nakanishi and kei fujita complete private suburban home

hiromu nakanishi and kei fujita complete private suburban home
photo by kei sugino
all images courtesy of hiromu nakanishi architects / kei fujita architects

japanese offices hiromu nakanishi architects and kei fujita architects have collaborated on residential property, designed to bridge the dichotomy between suburban seclusion and generous external views. located in a historic area of kyoto, ‘house just in front’ features a cleverly positioned horizontal opening that restricts sightlines to, and from, a bus stop opposite.

a cleverly positioned horizontal opening restricts sightlines to, and from, an opposing bus stop
photo by kei sugino

a lightwell set above the main living space filters direct sunlight, naturally illuminating and ventilating the dwelling. responding to the existing urban fabric, the shape, pitch of the roof, and the height of the structure have been carefully considered. in order to protect the home’s inhabitants from earthquakes and fire, the building is constructed using contemporary materials, with latticed timber used across the façade to reference the historic nature of the site.

a light well above the main living space naturally illuminates and ventilates the dwelling
photos by kei sugino

natural materials have been used throughout the design
photos by kei sugino

a small library area for study and contemplation
photo by kei sugino

kitchen viewed from the tatami space
photo by kei sugino

an opening within the lightwell
photo by kei sugino

a timber staircase connects the home
photos by kei sugino

project info:

location: shimogyo, kyoto, japan
size: steel, 3 story
structural consultant: eisuke mitsuda
construction company: toshin corp.
site area: 86.59 sqm
floor area: 171.63 sqm
photography: kei sugino