CASE-REAL tops deep red wood-clad house in tokyo with a silver roof

CASE-REAL plans a red house in Tokyo

In a tranquil neighborhood in Chofu City, Tokyo, CASE-REAL has built a red house topped with a silver roof. The client, who is a merchandise buyer and director for design in art, was attracted by the area’s lush surroundings and the brief was for a residence inspired by the reddish soil that would create a vivid contrast with its background. Furthermore, the owner desired a living place that could double as a gallery-like space open to the community. To fulfill these requirements, the architects clad the exterior with red wooden slabs, shaping generous openings that create a close connection with the outdoors. The structure is conceived as a new hub for the client, in order to host various public and private activities.

all images by Daisuke Shima

flexible open layout supports various functions 

The building stands out thanks to its ‘bengara’ red color, a highly weather-resistant pigment common in Japanese houses. With this bold color that dresses its exterior, the design team sought to form a structure that comes in juxtaposition with the green backdrop. ‘Rather than using the same color as the surrounding area to blend in with the environment, we intended to use a contrasting color to strengthen the significance of the architecture in this location,’ explained the architects. 

The reddish exterior walls were then topped with a silver roof and eaves made of galvalume steel sheet. Japanese tropical plants decorate the exterior to further heighten the contrast with the surrounding vegetation. By adding the greenery at its side, the team sought to add a visual continuity that leads to a large earth floor with an atrium. The area from the entrance to the earth floor is finished with a reddish stone mixed with washed-out stone. This floor connects both the inside and the outside of the house, blurring the boundaries in a variety of situations. 

the terrace is closely connected to the atrium obscuring the boundaries of in and out

The ground level hosts the living and dining room but can also turn into a semi-public exhibition space during events. To add flexibility to the space, the architects set the dining counter higher than usual so it can double as a display stand for exhibitions. Furniture such as counters and sofas were placed at the boundary between the earthen floor and the wooden flooring so that people could use them without taking off their shoes.

The second level accommodates the residents’ private bedrooms and is connected to the atrium, allowing a visual connection with the floor below and also the ventilation to circulate throughout the house. ‘While the chairs on the first floor were designed to match the counter, a low table was originally created for the second floor, where a sense of calm was demanded. This contrasts with the first floor by emphasizing the nature of floor seating,’ explain the architects.‘By planning the surrounding environment, architecture, interior, and furniture in conjunction with the client’s thoughts, we attempted to firmly define the house’s way of being.’

the earthen floor is topped with a vaulted ceiling

the building stands out from its surroundings due to its ‘bengara’ red color

Japanese tropical plants were planted in the exterior gutters

a silver roof tops the reddish exterior walls

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project info:

name: House In Jindaiji

architects: CASE-REAL
client: method Inc. Yu Yamada
completion: Nov 2022
building area: 46.36 sqm
floor area: 82.73 sqm
site area: 115.94 sqm
location: Tokyo, Japan
design: Koichi Futatsumata, Kana Yamamoto, Yasushi Arikawa (CASE-REAL)
design cooperation, construction: Yoshida building firm
lighting plan: Tatsuki Nakamura (BRANCH LIGHTING DESIGN)
manufacture, coordination of furniture: E&Y
planting plan: Yuko Takaura (GREENETTA)
sign design: Fumikazu Ohara (BOOTLEG)
photography: Daisuke Shima