Cost-Effective Japanese Home With An Unusual Facade

This Japanese residence has a creative facade with a house cutout right in it

This Japanese residence has a creative facade with a house cutout right in it

Challenged with an irregular, triangular and sloping site outside of the city of Sapporo in Japan, House in Nishino is a project completed by Yoshichika Takagi + Associates. To reduce the overall construction costs of building the family home, the excavation process was small and the architects exploited the building’s height instead with the addition of a second level.

The envelope of the dwelling uses timber wood panels and at its core, a house-shaped volume clad in polycarbonate panels interrupts the wood façade. This feature was Yoshichika Takagi’s response in providing a comfortable space for the family to tackle Hokkaido’s harsh winters. Inside, this floor-to-ceiling atrium space serves as a warm internal courtyard due to the green-house effect it promotes. A single small tree has been planted in the center, while the transparency of each side allows natural light to diffuse into this communal area of the home. The home decor is modern, even minimalist, and very practical, which is characteristic of Japan.

The other programs are organized around the center space and are never really closed off– even the spaces upstairs. The walls of the second level are slightly tilted to follow the gabled roof of the house-shaped void. This encourages air flow and simultaneously, gives the impression of a larger floor-plan. In turn, each of the rooms open and face into this courtyard allowing an even distribution of natural light from the inside without the need of many windows on the exterior façade.

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Such a facade lets a lot of natural light into the dining room while keeping it enough private

Such a facade lets a lot of natural light into the dining room while keeping it enough private

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The interiors are modern and simple, made with the use of light-colored wood and practical floor tiles

The interiors are modern and simple, made with the use of light-colored wood and practical floor tiles

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There's an inner courtyard with a tree growing right there, such a fresh and unique solution

There's an inner courtyard with a tree growing right there, such a fresh and unique solution

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The architects inserted this space as a place of warmth during the harsh winter’s in Hokkaido

The architects inserted this space as a place of warmth during the harsh winter’s in Hokkaido

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the kitchen is minimalist, with white cabinets, stainless steel surfaces and a warm woods, there's an eye-catchy bold pendant lamp

the kitchen is minimalist, with white cabinets, stainless steel surfaces and a warm woods, there's an eye-catchy bold pendant lamp

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the decor and storage solutions are practical and simple, which is characteristic of modern Japanese design

the decor and storage solutions are practical and simple, which is characteristic of modern Japanese design

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White walls are softened with light-colored wooden floors and window framing

White walls are softened with light-colored wooden floors and window framing

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The house is located in a residential area where it is rich in nature and close to the center of Sapporo

The house is located in a residential area where it is rich in nature and close to the center of Sapporo