roof terrace and courtyard enhance family bonds within japanese house by container design

family house in japan by Container Design

Nestled within a serene neighborhood in Tokushima City, Japan, the House in Kokufu by Container Design blurs the boundaries between interior and exterior. The brief was for a house with a comfortable and well-lit atmosphere, fostering familial bonds and interactions. At the core of its design lies a central courtyard that orchestrates the arrangement. The living spaces, encompassing the dining, kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms, and other auxiliary zones, unfurl along the periphery. This allows abundant natural light to fill the central space, acting as a sunroom and bringing the outdoors inside.

all images by Eiji Tomita

House in Kokufu enhances Family Connectivity

The project by Container Design (see more here) proposes a design wherein occupants can experience a sense of family presence throughout the house. An expansive roof crowns the entire structure offering not only shelter but also providing attic-like spaces within its geometric form. Inside the house, the design team created a system of corridors and stairways to facilitate visual connections between the various spaces. Additionally, the architects incorporated a roof cutout that forms a terrace, connecting the interior to the courtyard and the outdoors. These openings allow abundant natural light to permeate the rooms and promote ventilation. The courtyard takes shape as a playground for children and, at the same time, is visible from every room for easy supervision.

blending indoor and outdoor environments

a sculptural roof tops the entire house

wooden accents add a warm touch to the minimal interior

corridors and stairways create visual connectivity throughout the spaces

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the sculptural roof hosts cozy niches at its geometrical form

 

 

 

project info:

name: House in Kokufu

architects: Container Design | @containerdesign

location: Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture
use: residential
site area: 269.75 sqm
construction area: 81.98 sqm
total floor area: 131.33 sqm
1st floor area: 76.18 sqm
2nd floor area: 55.15 sqm
outer wall: Galvalume steel plate
roof: Galvalume steel plate
interior floor: cedar board, mortar press
internal walls: Tanacream, China plywood
internal ceiling: cross plywood
photography: Eiji Tomita