A HOUSE IN A GAP

A single family house on a deep and narrow plot

FIRST PRESENTED AS A 1ST YEAR MASTER PROJECT

DECEMBER 2013 - JANUARY 2014

Many places in Tokyo you will find the small gap-spaces: Sites so deep and narrow it is almost impossible for a westerner to imagine to be in habitable. However, the limitations of these sites seems to make architects thing more creative and many of the most famous contemporary Japanese houses are situated on such plots.

When designing a house on a plot like this, there a several issues to think of. Due to the deepness and narrowness of the site, these houses have to consider how and where they get their natural light. When designing a small house, the vertical circulation - e.g. the staircase - is an element which often takes up much space: Architects need to think of ways to make the stair consume less space or to think that it can fulfill other purposes.

 

 

 

 

 

elevation

Elevation towards the green road / Potted plants in the balconies ensures a sense of privacy.

 

diagrams

Diagrams: Daylight, divisions and organization.

 

gaphouse

Interior / The floors open towards the center ensuring that daylight can enter all spaces of the building.

 

plan

plans

Ground, 1st and 2nd floor plan / The plans try to make as many spatial divisions without the use of walls.

 

section

Section / The ground floor allows entrance in both sides.

 

exterior

Exterior / On each floor the facade creates small niches.

 

 

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