takao shiotsuka atelier connects the floors of SJ building in japan via outdoor concrete ramp

SJ building by takao shiotsuka atelier is a three-story concrete structure located in the castle town of saiki, oita prefecture, japan, which encloses a wine shop, a canteen and two houses stalked on top of each other. structured like a three-dimensional townhouse, the building incorporates an outdoor ramp that connects its different rooms and levels, with no other form of vertical circulation on its interior. while each of its different functions constitutes an independent space that is not connected to the rest through use, the layered structure can be regarded as one single house since its is organically linked throughout via the lives of its residents.all images by toshiyuki yano

takao shiotsuka atelier has built the three-story, reinforced-concrete complex building at the intersection entering the shrine approach from the main road in saiki city, where, in the old days, a liquor store was run serving sake to worshipers during special events. the project incorporates a wine shop, a canteen, the owner’s house and the grandmother’s house, stacked on top of each other and connected via an outdoor slope. the wine shop, which is located on the ground floor, reinforces the site’s already-existing, deep connection with the local community, while the canteen caters to elderly people who visit nearby hospitals.

aiming to create an architecture that can form an open relationship both within its interior and with its exterior, takao shiotsuka decided to connect each of the building’s spaces via an outdoor ramp, while no stairs have been built inside the structure. in this way, as one climbs up the spiral slope, they can enjoy the scenery of the castle town in various directions and heights on a daily basis.

‘this change in height brings changes in the floor and ceiling heights of the interior, and rooms with various expressions appear with openings to the surrounding environment through the slope,’ explains the japanese architect. ‘the building is connected to four streets, including an alley between adjacent buildings, and the slope forms a relationship with each street as an extension of the shrine approach and the alley.’