Japanese architects Skal and Ouvi have collaborated on the design of a a house in Setagaya, outside of Tokyo. It is a simple, wooden structure which showcases the process behind its making and the quality of its natural materials. The house is placed diagonally instead of parallel on the site, and set back from the neighboring house in order to maximise sunlight exposure on the ground floor.
Low and deep eaves prevent intense summer sun from heating the house. The entrance, the kitchen and dining room, living room, kids room, bathroom and bedroom were arranged so that from one perspective these rooms appear to be only one.
Trees and plants surround the house in small batches, allowing the site to appear more spacious and sunlight to enter the house. Completely removing the grove from the neighboring site incorporated the original landscape of the city onto the new site. The house is complete, but as trees and plants grow and surpass the eaves, the landscape of the city will be fully incorporated and the design will be fully realised.
Skal + Ouvi: House in Setagaya
This simple, wooden structure in the outskirts of the Japanese capital showcases the process behind its making and the quality of its natural materials.
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- 27 July 2012
- Tokyo
Skal and Ouvi: House in Setagaya
Architects: Kazuya Shikinami/Skal and Shin Yokoo/Ouvi
Planning: Kazuya Shikinami / Skal
Structural engineer: Ouvi (Team: Shin Yokoo, Keita Kisami)
Landscaping: Fujikura landscaping design office
Construction: Seiko Construction Co., Ltd.
Site area: 93 square metres
Built area: 46 square metres
Floor area: 91 square metres
Number of floors: 2+Loft
Construction methods: Wooden construction