12/2012

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by Neoplus Sixten Inc.

DENT


Our client, a dentist by profession, purchased a plot of land in a suburban district close to the center of town in order to enjoy a higher quality of life with his wife and two children. The grid pattern of the cantilevered balcony located at the far corner of the distinctively narrow pathway leading into the flagpole-shaped site projects a subdued facade. In contrast, the large, open interior is of unexpectedly spacious proportions, especially taking into account the fact that this is a two-storey wooden structure.

The residence features both a driveway situated beneath the pilotis of the building, and a built-in garage that can house a Porsche 911. The client can spend a pleasant moment in the compact glass-paned study located at the end of the corridor enjoying the sight of his cherished Porsche, stored in this "showcase". The central courtyard is also visible from the master bedroom, located at the far end of the garage. The metal grating used for the upper level of the courtyard allows ample morning sunlight to flood the space.

Going up the staircase leads to the family room, located just adjacent to the open stairwell. Large windows on both sides of the room bring framed views of the open sky into the interior of the house, while opening the sliding doors to their fullest extent connects the exterior to the interior. The compact, Japanese style tatami room located next to the kitchen can also be used as a guest room. Although all rooms including the bathroom and wet areas are linked to the external courtyard, wooden louvers help to obstruct lines of sight from the outside, ensuring both privacy and a sense of openness. Looking up towards the ceiling reveals a series of roof boards and rafters, each in a different hue, seeming to float within the interior. This wooden section, interposed between the stairwell and loft - designed as a play space for the children - creates a dynamic link between these elements.

Surrounded on all four sides by neighboring residences, this urban flagpole-shaped site seems at first glance to be a difficult environment with many drawbacks. In fact, however, the contrasts between inside and outside found in this residence could only have emerged out of these distinctive site conditions, giving both the family and their visitors a series of pleasant surprises.

Photos: Masao Nishikawa

GROW


This downtown residence, which also houses the working spaces of a husband-and-wife designer couple, is located on an extremely small plot measuring just 65sqm. The cockpit-like office area at the entrance to this home is separated from the garage by a single pane of glass. Opening the garage door to its fullest extent creates a sense of unity between the street and the interior, giving rise to a sort of intermediate zone. The area around the small central courtyard located at the far end of the first floor is filled with diffused light pouring down from the upper levels, projecting a sense of tranquil calm in the adjoining master bedroom.

Going up the spiral staircase leads to a children's room for the client's three kids and a large changing room on the second floor. A curtain partitions off the bathroom and utilities. By opening the door to the central courtyard, which is surrounded by concrete walls, the inhabitants can enjoy the sensation of relaxing in an outdoor bath while basking in the light and wind.

On the third floor is the family room, which adjoins the open stairwell. High skylights installed along the walls and on the ceiling make use of the sloping roof, which emerged as a result of the setback limit imposed by the city. A panoramic view of the sky and downtown area is visible from these glass panels, which also allow ample sunlight into the interior. The living room, which features built-in furniture covered in tatami mats, allows the residents to enjoy sitting on the floor, as if they were in a little treehouse. The balcony next to the kitchen will soon be filled with plants, allowing them to enjoy cooking and preparing food in an open, relaxed environment surrounded by greenery. The rooftop garden, which can be accessed through a rooftop structure, is a genuine urban oasis. This small residence, whose interior brims with a sense of openness that cannot be imagined from the relatively closed facade and its few visible openings, is distinctive for its myriad faces and spatial configurations that can be enjoyed as one moves up and down the different levels.

Photos: Masao Nishikawa

SMALL HOUSE SERIES

Micro homes by Apollo whose small size makes them unique
Vol.05 "LUFT"

This ultra-compact residence, which resembles a New York-style townhouse, is a two-generation house - the mother's room is located on the first floor, while the second and higher levels are devoted to spaces for her daughter and husband. In order to enjoy a style of living that feels as if one is taking a walk along a vertical axis, the central staircase is rhythmically connected to spaces on each floor that are linked by a mezzanine. One of the little joys of living in this house is taking a book from the shelves that span the second and third floors and sitting on the staircase to read it. Light pouring in from the skylight adds sparkle and color to the glass-paned interior, creating the feeling of having slipped into a little secret hideout space within the city.

MICRO GREEN

Satoshi Kurosaki's another Japanese translation of Mimi Zeiger's "MICROGREEN" was published by Futami Shobo. This is the second one after "TINY HOUSES".

AWARD

"RAY" and "Le49" were selected as one of the top 100 projects for 2012 by the Japan Institute of Architects (JIA). "Le49" received The Good Design Award 2012 in the residential category.

APOLLO architects & associates :
The name "Apollo" originates from Apollon, god of sun and light in Greco-Roman mythology. The firm was named in 2000 with the hope of pursuing architecture composed of the simple materials of "light" and "shadow", while also aiming to become a luminous presence within the city and society.
www.kurosakisatoshi.com

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