square skylight cutout organizes house's interior layout in japan

Ginga architects builds minimal House in Yamagata

Standing in a densely populated area in the center of Yamagata City, Japan, a one-story house by Ginga Architects seems to float lightly on top of a recessed plinth. The site is located in the northeastern part of Yamagata Castle Ruins adjacent to two and three-leveled buildings and a rental parking lot. The volume creates an open space under the eaves and arranges a private courtyard and designated parking area for the users. The project attends to the region’s climatic conditions and distributes the living zones on a raised floor while intimate functions are accommodated within the minimal ground floor that forms a protected volume. The spaces serve as columns supporting the frame and shape a portico shielded from the hot sun and heavy snow.

the ground floor spaces serve as columns and shape a shielded portico | all images by Katsuro Kozeki

large square skylight sheds light inside the house

The upper floor volume is L-shaped arranging an open courtyard atrium in the center. By keeping the height of the central courtyard as low as possible and minimizing the openings around the perimeter, the design team forms a one-room space that opens a large four-by-four meter square skylight letting ample light within the structure and creating interesting skyscapes throughout the day. The living room and dining room are organized in an open-plan layout that fits the site.

The courtyard puts up triple-glazed plastic allowing natural light to the bright interior. Two spiral staircases are located at the corners of the L shape on the top floor, one leading to the entrance and the other to the bedrooms. The entrance’s staircase serves as a vertical gallery, while the second flight of stairs separates the living room and dining kitchen. In the dining zone, the pantry, wash utility, bathroom, toilet, and bedroom spiral staircase are half-closed with only the upper part forming a continuous plan. The project forms a single-flow shell-like space under the eaves where public and private spaces are blended together and views of the sky can be seen from any area of the structure. 

the house seems to float lightly on top of a recessed plinth

a large four-by-four meter square skylight lets ample light within the structure

the aperture creates interesting skyscapes throughout the day

triple-glazed plastic openings around the courtyard allow for a bright interior

the upper floor volume is L-shaped arranging an open courtyard atrium in the center

two spiral staircases are located at the corners of the L shape on the top floor

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project info:

name: Sky cutout and under eaves / House in Yamagata
designer: Ginga Architects – Koji Takeda | @takeda_k07

location: Yamagata City, Japan

photography: Katsuro Kozeki

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edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom