kohei kudo applies a folding timber roof to articulate family house in japan

situated in the japanese city of saitama, ‘higashimatsuyama house‘ has been designed by kohei kudo & associates for a couple whose families have lived on the site for over 300 years. the concept behind the project seeks to retain the rich family history by extending their existing home and forming a connection between the new elements and surrounding nature. the resulting architecture intends to be articulated as ‘one piece’ and ‘one house.’

terrace view © kai nakamura

the brief from the client challenged the architect to create a contemporary style of living that could incorporate all the needs of the various family generations. under the new roof of the extension, one can find living, kitchen and dining space. under an adjacent roof is the open ‘nandemo terrace’, functioning as a multi-purpose area that can be used for outdoor dining and recreation.

nandemo terrace © kai nakamura

the structure of the two roofs is formed from wooden sandwich panels, allowing a large expanse to be constructed as economically as possible. the geometry has been designed as a response to the surrounding nature, light and prevailing wind direction. the angles and height of the roofs have also been carefully determined depending on the function of the space. for example, by lowering the eaves on the neighbor’s side of the terrace to 1.9 meters, it connects the garden whilst providing privacy from being overlooked.

exterior © kai nakamura

on the front part of the existing building, the architect has designed a new sunroom using aluminium and glass to extend the living space to the outside. the same materials as the existing structure have been specified in the new intervention, in order to create a sense of continuity and remove the idea of a boundary between the two parts. in essence, the new structure attached to the old results in one house, ideal for the large family and their history of the site.

view of the entrance © kai nakamura

sunroom © kai nakamura

living room © kai nakamura

view from the kitchen © shinkenchikusha

view from the living room © shinkenchikusha

terrace © kai nakamura

project info:

project name: ‘higashimatsuyama house’

project location: saitama, japan

architect: kohei kudo & associates

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