Boko House

Boko House 

Hiroyasu Imai

Boko House
© Tomoyuki Kusunose

ARCHITECTS
Hiroyasu Imai

LEAD ARCHITECT
Hiroyasu Imai

PHOTOGRAPHS
Tomoyuki Kusunose, Takumi Homma

AREA
65 M²

YEAR
2022

LOCATION
Matsudo, Japan

CATEGORY
Houses, Apartment Interiors

Boko House
© Tomoyuki Kusunose

Renovation of Second-Used Apartment a Married Couple and Two Cats Coexist. We aimed to make a house that allows humans and cats to live comfortably within 65㎡, a typical room size in Japan.

We attempted to design the house from both human and cat's perspective (Way of Life, Habits, and Safety).

Boko House
© Tomoyuki Kusunose
Boko House
© Takumi Homma

By reducing rooms and making detour Circulation, we achieved depth and mutation.

We applied a 350 mm gap under the shelves, kitchen, and washbasin. To humans, it functions as a partition and to feel depth and space.

Boko House
© Tomoyuki Kusunose
Boko House
© Tomoyuki Kusunose

To cats, it functions as one big plaza and place to hide from humans. Moreover, it improves ventilation and good traffic lines for robot vacuum cleaners.

We also applied steps in the shelves, spy-holes, and catwalk under the beams to extend the cats' vertical circulations. As for humans, Spyholes in the shelves can be used as a projector and other devices.

Boko House
© Tomoyuki Kusunose
Boko House
© Tomoyuki Kusunose

By incorporating cat perspectives into the design of the residence, we were able to create a state of richness where different scales, habits, and spheres of activity overlap and fit together in one room.


Boko House
© Tomoyuki Kusunose
Boko House
© Tomoyuki Kusunose
Boko House
Courtesy of Hiroyasu Imai
Boko House
© Tomoyuki Kusunose
Boko House
Courtesy of Hiroyasu Imai
Boko House
Courtesy of Hiroyasu Imai


Boko House
© Tomoyuki Kusunose
Boko House
© Tomoyuki Kusunose
Boko House
Courtesy of Hiroyasu Imai
Boko House
Courtesy of Hiroyasu Imai
Boko House
© Tomoyuki Kusunose
Boko House
© Tomoyuki Kusunose
Boko House
Courtesy of Hiroyasu Imai
Boko House
Courtesy of Hiroyasu Imai
Boko House
© Tomoyuki Kusunose


Boko House
Plan


Boko House
Section A
Boko House
Section B


Boko House
Diagram A
Boko House
Diagram B
Boko House
Perspective Plan