watch the trap door! a japanese architect's solution to an age old problem

on the outside, there isn’t a whole lot special about this japanese home. like most of its neighbors, it’s a 50-year-old ready built home; yet, after a recent renovation this abode has a few unique features, including a trap door. it’s the project of an architecture firm called persimmon hills.

all images by kenta hasegawa

the dwelling was designed and built by the architect for his mother. he incorporated her feedback and needs to make the home ideal for her purposes and comfort. the architect also claims to have gotten a hand from her in the construction, thanks mom. the project was fairly simple and the design focused on one problem more than any other — i.e. bringing light into the dark abode that has no courtyards. the easy solution seems fairly obvious now when presented, but it was kind of a breakthrough and something you don’t see everyday.

the upstairs with the trap door closed 

the architect’s solution was to install a trap door between floors. the bottom is painted white and this allows the light from a nearby window to reflect off it and shine down into the space below. the upstairs can be further utilized by guests with the pull of a rope. this way the mother can unitize her house at its fullest potential.

the architects mother working downstairs with the aid of natural light

a depiction of the simple system

and once again closed

another shot of the upstairs

a close up of the system

the architect’s playful use of materials 

fine woodwork depicted in the trap door

the open plan of the home

truly a comfortable space

the simple house has more than meets the eye

project info:

architect: yusuke kakinoki + shuhei hirooka / persimmon hills architects
principal use: private residence
construction: tomohisa ito, shuhei hirooka, hiroyuki shimada, jumpei komori, kota sugimoto, katsuya yamagishi, ryohei nishimoto
photography: kenta hasegawa
building area: 32 sqm
total floor area: 56 sqm
number of stories: 2 stories
structure: wood