Four and a half vaults for a roof. Villa A by teamSTAR
10/12/2023.
[Yokosuka] Japan
metalocus, ANDRÉS BLANCO
metalocus, ANDRÉS BLANCO
Japanese Architecture practice teamSTAR was commissioned to design this villa in Yokosuka a Japanese coastal city, in Kanagawa Prefecture. Its population is 414,960 inhabitants, and it is included in the Tokyo conurbation.
Villa A is located on Akiya Beach, overlooking the Pacific Ocean near the city of Hayama, at the mouth of Tokyo Bay, specifically on the Miura Peninsula, which extends to Sagami Bay.
Villa A is located on Akiya Beach, overlooking the Pacific Ocean near the city of Hayama, at the mouth of Tokyo Bay, specifically on the Miura Peninsula, which extends to Sagami Bay.
Villa A by teamSTAR. Photograph by Kenya Chiba
Villa A by teamSTAR. Photograph by Kenya Chiba
Villa A by teamSTAR. Photograph by Kenya Chiba
Villa A by teamSTAR. Photograph by Kenya Chiba
Villa A by teamSTAR. Photograph by Kenya Chiba
Villa A by teamSTAR. Photograph by Kenya Chiba
Villa A by teamSTAR. Photograph by Kenya Chiba
Villa A by teamSTAR. Photograph by Kenya Chiba
Villa A by teamSTAR. Photograph by Kenya Chiba
Villa A by teamSTAR. Photograph by Kenya Chiba
Villa A by teamSTAR. Photograph by Kenya Chiba
Villa A by teamSTAR. Photograph by Kenya Chiba
Villa A by teamSTAR. Photograph by Kenya Chiba
Villa A by teamSTAR. Photograph by Kenya Chiba
Villa A by teamSTAR. Photograph by Kenya Chiba
Villa A by teamSTAR. Photograph by Kenya Chiba
Villa A by teamSTAR. Photograph by Kenya Chiba
Villa A by teamSTAR. Photograph by Kenya Chiba
Villa A by teamSTAR. Photograph by Kenya Chiba
Villa A by teamSTAR. Photograph by Kenya Chiba
Villa A by teamSTAR. Photograph by Kenya Chiba
Site plan. Villa A by teamSTAR.
Main floor plan. Villa A by teamSTAR.
Groun floor plan. Villa A by teamSTAR.
Roof plan. Villa A by teamSTAR.
West elevation. Villa A by teamSTAR.
South elevation. Villa A by teamSTAR.
Axonometric view. Villa A by teamSTAR.
Model. Villa A by teamSTAR.
Model. Villa A by teamSTAR.
teamSTAR architects designed the villa on a site located on the slope of a southwest-facing hillside, the roof is oriented westward toward Mt. Fuji. The presence of the ocean can be felt everywhere in the building, and the design includes elements that allow for a range of distinct ocean views.
The entrance hall from the basement is reminiscent of the ocean floor, with a white spiral staircase that evokes the image of a seashell. The configuration of the building adjusts to the slope of the site, reflected in the stepped gradation of the arches of the vaulted roof.
Villa A by STAR. Photograph by Kenya Chiba.
Villa A by STAR. Photograph by Kenya Chiba.
The entrance hall from the basement is reminiscent of the ocean floor, with a white spiral staircase that evokes the image of a seashell. The configuration of the building adjusts to the slope of the site, reflected in the stepped gradation of the arches of the vaulted roof.
Villa A by STAR. Photograph by Kenya Chiba.
Villa A by STAR. Photograph by Kenya Chiba.
Project description by STAR
The villa—named for its location on Akiya Beach—commands a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean near the town of Hayama, the birthplace of Japanese yachting culture. Befitting this stunning natural environment, the villa’s design seeks a sculpturesque form, symbolized by the large vaulted roof and its series of arches that resemble white, rolling ocean waves.
Though the site is located on the slope of a southwest-facing hillside, the roof is oriented westward toward Mt. Fuji. The presence of the ocean can be felt everywhere in the building, and the design includes elements that allow for a range of distinct ocean views.
The basement-level entrance hall calls to mind the ocean floor, with a white spiral staircase that evokes the image of a spiral seashell rising from the depths toward the surface. From the top of the stairs, a striking view of the Pacific Ocean unfurls.
Villa A by STAR. Photograph by Kenya Chiba.
The building’s configuration conforms to the elevation differences inherent to the site, evidenced by the step-like gradation of the vaulted roof’s arches. In an effort to minimize effects on the environment, the level of the floor was made to follow the site’s natural slope, reducing the amount of soil needing to be removed and carried out. This design gives rise to a myriad of interior vantage points, with the entrance, living room, dining room, loft area, and well-equipped kitchen, each offering a unique ocean view from its elevation. Meanwhile, the emerald green floor evokes the colorful waters of reefs and shallows, and the color scheme on the main level gives the impression one is sailing on a yacht.
The curved lines of the vaulted roof create the illusion of expansiveness in the interior space. While the building structure is mainly reinforced concrete, the roof is a wooden structure consisting of a series of continuous arches built with 7m×900mm cross-laminated timber panels—a design that required extremely precise planning and construction techniques to implement.
Additionally, the distinctive, large sash windows at the corners of the living room create a seamless continuity between the interior and exterior when opened, endowing the interior space with an outdoor ambiance. The terrace features an infinity pool, wood-burning sauna, and outdoor kitchen, as well as a jacuzzi that is easily accessible from outside—elements designed to create the ideal setting for entertaining friends and family. The result is an oceanfront villa with the amenities of a resort—a villa that perfectly suits a laid-back lifestyle and provides a deep connection to the blue waters at its doorstep.
More information
Architects
teamSTAR. Lead architect.- Eitaro Satake.
Project team
Director.- Eitaro Satake.
Main Architect.- Miki Okuno.
Assistant Designer.- Kohki Yanase.
Management.- Yamada Studio, Shinichiro Yamada.
Main Architect.- Miki Okuno.
Assistant Designer.- Kohki Yanase.
Management.- Yamada Studio, Shinichiro Yamada.
Collaborators
Structural Engineers.- soaps.
Mechanical & Electrical Engineers.- EM design.
Lighting Design.- Plusy.
Support.- adLb, Koichi Eguchi.
Main Architects.- Moo-Flat design.
Mechanical & Electrical Engineers.- EM design.
Lighting Design.- Plusy.
Support.- adLb, Koichi Eguchi.
Main Architects.- Moo-Flat design.
Area
385 m².
Dates
2023.
Location
Yokosuka, Japan.
Photography
Kenya Chiba.
Eitaro Satake. STAR
STAR. Architecture practice established on Tokyo, in 2002. The studio is led by Eitaro Satake architect. STAR is a client-first design firm offering brand design and total architectural and spatial design.
Eitaro Satake. completed the Department of Urban Architecture (Architecture and Environmental Design), Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University. and even a columbarium. First Class Architect. JIA Registered Architect.
Eitaro Satake. completed the Department of Urban Architecture (Architecture and Environmental Design), Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University. and even a columbarium. First Class Architect. JIA Registered Architect.
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