yoshichika takagi carves house-shaped volume out of japanese residence

challenged with an irregular, triangular and sloping site outside of the city of sapporo in japan, ‘house in nishino’ is a project completed by yoshichika takagi + associates. to reduce the overall construction costs of building the family home, the excavation process was small and the architects exploited the building’s height instead with the addition of a second level.

the site has irregular triangle shape and 4 meter height difference from one edge to the other

the envelope of the dwelling uses timber wood panels and at its core, a house-shaped volume clad in polycarbonate panels interrupts the wood façade. this feature was yoshichika takagi’s response in providing a comfortable space for the family to tackle hokkaido’s harsh winters. inside, this floor-to-ceiling atrium space serves as a warm internal courtyard due to the green-house effect it promotes. a single small tree has been planted in the center, while the transparency of each side allows natural light to diffuse into this communal area of the home.

natural light bathes the dining room in the central courtyard space

the other programs are organized around the center space and are never really closed off– even the spaces upstairs. the walls of the second level are slightly tilted to follow the gabled roof of the house-shaped void. this encourages air flow and simultaneously, gives the impression of a larger floor-plan. in turn, each of the rooms open and face into this courtyard allowing an even distribution of natural light from the inside without the need of many windows on the exterior façade.

rooms all face into the house-shaped void

the architect

the architects inserted this space as a place of warmth during the harsh winter’s in hokkaido

the kitchen

a small plant sits at the center of the greenhouse-courtyard

the same materials is used throughout the two floors

the communal programs are located on the ground floor

the house is located in a residential area where it is rich in nature and close to the center of sapporo

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