Distance and Dimensions

Distance and Dimensions 

GRAY-ZONE Design Office

Distance and Dimensions
© Nao Takahashi

LEAD ARCHITECTS
Takuya Takahashi

GENERAL CONSTRUCTING
Tonkachi Drills Co., Ltd.

PHOTOGRAPHS
Nao Takahashi

AREA
37 M²

YEAR
2024

LOCATION
Japan

CATEGORY
Mixed Use Architecture, Renovation, Offices Interiors

Distance and Dimensions
© Nao Takahashi

"Would people be happy if a design office opened nearby?" This is a renovation plan (for a mixed-use residence) for our architectural design office in an urbanization control area.

The underlying idea of ​​the project was to consider the appropriate "sense of distance" before considering the appropriate dimensions.

Distance and Dimensions
© Nao Takahashi
Distance and Dimensions
© Nao Takahashi

Specific examples of sense of distance include the sense of distance between "designer and visitors (client, local residents, friends, acquaintances, future client)" in our daily lives, and the broader perspective of the architectural design industry, "design office and society (contractors, meetings with manufacturer sales, people from other industries, people with no work-related ties)."

Since the location would likely be appreciated by a convenience store, this project began with thinking about creating a place that would not only provide a rational office space but also benefit people who are not familiar with design offices or who do not request work from the office.

Distance and Dimensions
© Nao Takahashi
Distance and Dimensions
© Nao Takahashi

SITE

The planned site is in Hadano City, the only basin in Kanagawa Prefecture. The main house of this project and the three houses on either side are related to each other.

The road in front is the main route used by farmers' cars going in and out of the fields on the south side, so there is a lot of traffic with neighbors at certain times. The challenge was how to design it to be a familiar hub of communication.

Distance and Dimensions
© Nao Takahashi
Distance and Dimensions
© Nao Takahashi

A large-scale manufacturing plant used to be run on this site, and at that time, it was expanded as a single-story wood processing plant, and a second floor was added later.

It was necessary to refine the "architectural lines" that had been added impromptu while respecting the history of the site.

Distance and Dimensions
© Nao Takahashi
Distance and Dimensions
© Nao Takahashi

PLAN

In order to create a continuous relationship between the geographical characteristics of the area and the spatial experience inside, a three-dimensional earthen floor space called "agari-doma" was created at about GL (from ground level) + 500mm in the part facing the road boundary.

Old Japanese houses had a "doma" (a space with a dirt floor) that was used for storage, work, and play.

Distance and Dimensions
© Nao Takahashi
Distance and Dimensions
© Nao Takahashi

This project expresses the doma in three dimensions."Agari" means rise.

The agari-doma was planned to be used as an impressive approach to the extraordinary place that is the design office, as a veranda where people can sit from inside and outside.

Distance and Dimensions
© Nao Takahashi
Distance and Dimensions
© Nao Takahashi

And as a seasonal event space so that the people's activities themselves would become the face of the building, and the facade would change every time they pass by the office.

PROSPECTS

Although this is a small-scale office project, by inviting people like a house and opening up like a store, we hope to create an opportunity to change the "sense of distance between the design office and the building" that each visitor has.

Distance and Dimensions
© Nao Takahashi


Distance and Dimensions
© Nao Takahashi
Distance and Dimensions
© Nao Takahashi
Distance and Dimensions
© Nao Takahashi
Distance and Dimensions
© Nao Takahashi
Distance and Dimensions
© Nao Takahashi


Distance and Dimensions
Drawing
Distance and Dimensions
Drawing
Distance and Dimensions
Drawing
Distance and Dimensions
Mockup


Distance and Dimensions
Floor Plan