I'm home

Imaeda residence situated in Nagakute, Aichi was designed to create a town within the house. In the center of the 2-story wooden house is a hall that has a void running east to west. The living room, dining room, kitchen and study face each other across the hall. On the 2nd floor, a hallway runs above the hall connecting the study and the bedroom and one can enjoy the feeling of walking in an alley of a town. What is interesting is that it is possible to feel the presence of the family all around the house, because one’s line of sight crosses over through the void. In the study situated on the south side of the 2nd floor, dark wood is used for the wall and the ceiling effectively creating a scene of a hut in the house. And on that wall facing the void, small openings are created randomly, adding rhythm to the space.
An exterior full of character was created by having openings so one can enjoy the natural light, wind and view hidden from the surrounding houses. In the house, the shadows change shape as the day goes by, adding to one’s enjoyment. The center of the house hall with the wooden stove is like the yard of the house, where family and guests naturally gather. The lighted courtyard in the hall acts as a chimney.

COMMENTS