love architecture: cross house in koganei

‘cross house in koganei’ by love architecture in tokyo, japanimage © sadamu saitohall images courtesy love architecture

japanese studio love architecture (yukio asari) has sent us images of ‘cross house in koganei’, a two-storey private dwelling located on a riverbank in a lush residential area outside of tokyo, japan. conceived for a novelist who requested a quiet and isolated residence, the design features a cross-shaped floor plan and roof that breaks up any long stretch of façade to ‘dissolve’ into its surroundings.

exterior viewimage © sadamu saitoh

situated on a plot area measuring 165 m2, the house is oriented in an offset manner to sit at an angle from the adjacent landscaped public walkway. the volume is expressed as a line rather than a ‘face’ while the sloping roof form cuts down on all sides to shave off any long vertical walls. small trees and shrugs planted on the four excised corners of the form further conceal the presence of the dwelling. wrapped in warm wood panelling, the exterior exhibits a natural appearance on site.

(left): approach (right): corner garden images © sadamu saitoh

(left) entrance (right) view of entrance from within images © sadamu saitoh

the decision to create a cross-shaped floor plan also determined the organization and condition of the interior. the corner voids serve as outer courtyards which visually connect the space to the immediate site and is easily accessed by multiple openings. programs that would benefit from large levels of daylight are arranged next to the gardens to naturally illuminate the interior. the result is a revolving layout with an efficient core circulation. private programs such as the bedroom and study is accommodated on the level above with small outdoor balconies further connecting the interior to the exterior.