sou fujimoto: house K maximizes space with soaring roof

sou fujimoto: ‘house K’ maximizes space with soaring roof in nishinomiya, japan
image © iwan baan

 sou fujimoto‘s ‘house k’ is a voluminous, crescent-shaped home in northeastern osaka’s dense urban fabric. the approach to an disproportionate L shaped site is one of a soaring, thickened ground plane. pressed against the neighbors’ homes on three sides and bordered by a grove of trees, the rectangular volume literally grows out of the ground with a gentle concave motion until it peaks at the eastern-most point. the canopy therefore becomes a striking visual object from the exterior while providing the family with much-needed exterior space in the form of a rooftop terrace. the habitable roof additionally confronts the ubiquitous concrete slabs with a composition of trees in faceted metal planters.

a voluminous curved roof characterizes the home
image © iwan baan

the tectonic mass additionally informs the interior spaces, stretching across a three-tiered floor plan before becoming a wall element towards the western end of the plot. a separated hanare room, used historically as an individual sitting room from the main structure, also balances the strong external presence of the inclined home. reclaiming the airiness and multitasking planes of japanese vernacular architecture was central to the project; an idea manifested in a stepped, open plan with a small promenade of stairs doubling as seating in between levels. a glazed entryway and anteroom leads to two flights of stairs direct circulation to an active middle storey that contains the kitchen and dining area. the only partitioned space is a lofted plane that differentiates the master bedroom, children’s bedroom and bathroom. the thickened roof curve is punctured by various apertures that allow interiors to be awash with natural light as well as the addition of a small ladder that grants access to the  outdoor hanare.

a stepped plan maximizes living spaces
image © iwan baan

site plan
image © sou fujimoto

floor plan level 1
image © sou fujimoto

floor plan level 2
image © sou fujimoto