This family house is the work of Keiji Ashizawa and is located in the centre of Tokyo, in a crowded downtown. The house is structured on three floors, with a taller than usual third floor.
It was designed for a small family in search of its members’ privacy, so it has the bedrooms on the first two floors. The third floor is taller that a usual floor, since above the common areas like the living and kitchen a study place is set. The architect had in mind to have maximum sunlight for each room, in accordance to the needs of each space in particular. Therefore, on the upper floor natural light fills the space.
The exterior is made out of steel frames, that don’t take too much space and keep the costs down. However, the support steel handrail would have looked weird on the inside of the house without a special interior design to incorporate it. The designer worked with furnishings and bookshelves that harmonize with the rough steel. Accessories and pieces of furniture for this home are in shades of grey and black to create a distinct and elegant interior.
Photos by Daici Ano
You claim the steel frames keep costs down, but where’s the data? High-end architectural steel isn’t cheap. Also, did the third floor’s height actually improve livability, or just aesthetics? Show me the proof.
Great question! While steel offers durability and speed, material costs do vary. We’ll include detailed cost breakdowns and livability metrics in our next update. The third floor’s height enhances natural light and airflow, significantly boosting daily comfort beyond just aesthetics. Stay tuned for the data!