6/2013

Latest project updates
by Neoplus Sixten Inc.

ARROW

This SOHO house is built on a portion of the lot of the owner's parents' house. Part of the first floor is used as a photo studio, and the living spaces are made on the second floor where the entrance is located. Since the divided lot is long and narrow, an exterior design was required that utilizes the depth of the approach while considering the distance from and contrast with the main house.

By employing an open style with glass walls for the photo studio facade on the first floor, an intermediate space, albeit small, is unified with the exterior and brings comfort.

The shallow sloped approach-stairs to the second floor entrance nicely match the sharp inclined wall and constitute the characteristic facade, and as a result they function as a novelty to invite visitors. The pitched roof formed by the regulation on the north side creates a unique exterior and interior appearance. Light from the slit-shaped skylight on the peak of the roof casts dramatic shadows in the entirely white-colored room. An unblocked sky view from the skylight also has the effect of making one forget that the house is in a densely populated residential area. The second floor is an open one-room space, including the loft space that is accessed by a ladder, and can be used for multiple purposes. The rhythmic continuation of the "diagonal" elements, which are glimpsed in many spaces, creates a comfortable unease in the room. One of the characteristics of this house is the non-existence of a clear border between ON/OFF, since the living space, where one can play with a variety of natural lights, is used as a space for taking photos.

Photos: Masao Nishikawa

TEPE

The location house, which has a striking exterior that broadly protrudes, stands on a small hill. This house, which means "hill" in Turkish, is built next to the house of the residents' parents and has become a symbolic building for the neighborhood. The parking lot and approach-stairs are located at the front side of the site and provide access to the hill-top entrance. Since most of the site is sloped, the protrusion of the house characteristically floats via steel frames while a flat surface supports its groundwork. Cross-sectional ingenuities are employed in many places, such as in the creation of a storage space under the floor by utilizing the depth of the groundwork that is used to help support the counterweight of the cantilever.

Sunlight showers the open-ceiling entrance hall. The living and dining rooms are designed with a slab floor continuation from the entrance, and they have a superb view that skillfully incorporates the neighbor's well-kept yard as a borrowed landscape. The gentle steps from the living room to the dining room create a stage-like atmosphere in the space, and the skylight emphasizes dramatic shadings. The balcony protrudes to make full use of the site, but it also creates a sense of depth that is unique to the semi-enclosed space. Furthermore, it has a role of blocking the view from the road.

In contrast to the open first floor, a common courtyard is made for the main bedroom and children's room on the second floor, and garden views and sky views can be enjoyed in privacy. The floor level window from the children's room has a view that extends all the way to the scenery at the bottom of the hill. By cross-sectional manipulation of elevation levels, the biggest characteristic of this house is that one can enjoy the depth and rhythm in many places within the house.

Photos: Masao Nishikawa

SMALL HOUSE SERIES

Micro homes by Apollo whose small size makes them unique
Vol.07 "LATTICE"
Photos: Masao Nishikawa

The site is located in a highly populated residential area in eastern Tokyo. The facade of the house for single residents is entirely covered with wooden louvers. In order to ensure a piloti style garage to park a large-sized car in the long and narrow lot, an RC thin rigid frame was employed. The front and back spaces are loosely connected by the see-through stairs that are located at the center. The upper floor has a stereoscopic composition via a split level with an open ceiling. Sunlight showers down from the penthouse and fills the enclosed small area, and casts deep shadows in the brutal space.

AWARD

Le49 received an incentive award in the residential category, Tokyo Architecture Award.

Photo: Masao Nishikawa

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


Reproduction of any of these images and texts without written permission is prohibited.
Copyright (C) 2013 Neoplus Sixten Inc. All Right Reserved.