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Apollo Architects & Associates
YEAR
2013
LOCATION
Tokyo, Japan
CATEGORY
Houses
Text description provided by the architects.
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.
