store muu builds multi-platform family home in kanagawa, japan

in kanagawa prefecture, japan, design studio store muu has managed to squeeze an entire house into a rather lean space between two existing buildings. entitled ‘gap house’ the design creates enough room for a family of four to feel comfortably at home on a site of just 59 square meters.

the site faces the nearby sagami bay

store muu makes clever use of space in segmenting the combined living area into three elevated platforms: the ground floor, with a hall and living room; the first floor, for the kitchen and dining room; and the second floor, a children’s playroom that also functions as a spare bedroom. the three rooms, while clearly defined, fill and share the interior space, but transition into each other seamlessly. windows are strategically placed throughout the rooms to maximize light, while high, peaked ceilings boost the design’s sense of buoyancy and rising verticality. downstairs, the modular layout gives way to more traditionally-segmented bedrooms and storage spaces.

the indented façade allows for easy parking at the front of the building

the house faces the nearby sagami bay and is arranged to receive the area’s natural sea breeze, which flows through the north face of the building. the open-plan alignment of the living space allows for the uninhibited flow of air, energizing the space and dispelling any internal claustrophobia. the irregular shape of the house also makes room for much needed parking space at the front, and a garden at the back.

downstairs, rooms are more traditionally compartmentalized

a translucent window allows light into the bottom levels

the open-plan alignment of the living space allows for the uninhibited air-flow

the top platform functions as a play-room, or can be used as an extra bedroom

peaked ceilings maximize the illusion of space

 
a spacious family home on a site of just 59 square meters

Plan

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: peter corboy | designboom