I love small houses and their insanely hard to design. Well for most people. akasaka shinichiro atelier has designed ‘small box house’. A two-storey residence in the western hillside of mount moiwa, sapporo.
The clients wanted this small home to be flexible enough to house a small cafe on the main floor in addition to hosting a variety of events.
Seen as a simple cube from the outside, the interior arranges itself around an irregularly shaped void. The void acts as both light well and atrium. The dining room/public cafe is held in this void.“the more-than-double height zone lends a sense of open airiness.”
The second level overlooks the void below, which is arranged in a loft form.
With no conventional walls and partitions, the spaces are divided by horizontal and vertical structural supports. “the expansive verticality is taken advantage of with the insertion of a tiny mezzanine level, which provides access to the roof via a system of step ladders.”
Yet again the japanese have done it. I will say it again, I love small homes and this one is a one of my favourites.
interior view
towards atrium void on upper level
looking down into the atrium
dining area
(left) back door from dining area
(right) entrance
entrance
exterior elevation
overview
wow this is an amazing space! clever and very creative….
superb really. the japanese are minimalist to the core