Openness and serenity. House in Higashi-Gotanda by Koichi Futatsumata, CASE-REAL
26/01/2021.
[Tokyo] Japan
metalocus, VALERIA OZUNA
metalocus, VALERIA OZUNA
The Japanese studio Case-Real, led by Koichi Futatsumata, designed a two-floor wooden house in a quiet residential area in the neighborhood of Higashi-Gotanda, in the city of Tokyo, Japan.
The house projected, is characterized by galvanized steel cladding and a concealed rooftop terrace. The terrace on the second floor gently divided the space with angled louvers to create an intermediate space that allows light and wind to pass through while shielding the view from the neighbor.
The house projected, is characterized by galvanized steel cladding and a concealed rooftop terrace. The terrace on the second floor gently divided the space with angled louvers to create an intermediate space that allows light and wind to pass through while shielding the view from the neighbor.
House in Higashi-Gotanda by Koichi Futatsumata, CASE-REAL. Photograph by Daisuke Shima
House in Higashi-Gotanda by Koichi Futatsumata, CASE-REAL. Photograph by Daisuke Shima
House in Higashi-Gotanda by Koichi Futatsumata, CASE-REAL. Photograph by Daisuke Shima
House in Higashi-Gotanda by Koichi Futatsumata, CASE-REAL. Photograph by Daisuke Shima
House in Higashi-Gotanda by Koichi Futatsumata, CASE-REAL. Photograph by Daisuke Shima
House in Higashi-Gotanda by Koichi Futatsumata, CASE-REAL. Photograph by Daisuke Shima
House in Higashi-Gotanda by Koichi Futatsumata, CASE-REAL. Photograph by Daisuke Shima
House in Higashi-Gotanda by Koichi Futatsumata, CASE-REAL. Photograph by Daisuke Shimaa by Koichi Futatsumata, Yuki Ohnita CASE-REAL. Photograph by Daisuke Shima
House in Higashi-Gotanda by Koichi Futatsumata, CASE-REAL. Photograph by Daisuke Shima
House in Higashi-Gotanda by Koichi Futatsumata, CASE-REAL. Photograph by Daisuke Shima
House in Higashi-Gotanda by Koichi Futatsumata, CASE-REAL. Photograph by Daisuke Shima
House in Higashi-Gotanda by Koichi Futatsumata, CASE-REAL. Photograph by Daisuke Shima
House in Higashi-Gotanda by Koichi Futatsumata, CASE-REAL. Photograph by Daisuke Shima
House in Higashi-Gotanda by Koichi Futatsumata, CASE-REAL. Photograph by Daisuke Shima
House in Higashi-Gotanda by Koichi Futatsumata, CASE-REAL. Photograph by Daisuke Shima
House in Higashi-Gotanda by Koichi Futatsumata, CASE-REAL. Photograph by Daisuke Shima
House in Higashi-Gotanda by Koichi Futatsumata, CASE-REAL. Photograph by Daisuke Shima
House in Higashi-Gotanda by Koichi Futatsumata, CASE-REAL. Photograph by Daisuke Shima
House in Higashi-Gotanda by Koichi Futatsumata, CASE-REAL. Photograph by Daisuke Shima
House in Higashi-Gotanda by Koichi Futatsumata, CASE-REAL. Photograph by Daisuke Shima
House in Higashi-Gotanda by Koichi Futatsumata, CASE-REAL. Photograph by Daisuke Shima
House in Higashi-Gotanda by Koichi Futatsumata, CASE-REAL. Photograph by Daisuke Shima
House in Higashi-Gotanda by Koichi Futatsumata, CASE-REAL. Photograph by Daisuke Shima
House in Higashi-Gotanda by Koichi Futatsumata, CASE-REAL. Photograph by Daisuke Shima
Ground floor, first and second floor. House in Higashi-Gotanda by Koichi Futatsumata, CASE-REAL
East and south elevation. House in Higashi-Gotanda by Koichi Futatsumata, CASE-REAL
The light plays a fundamental composition role in this residential project developed by Koichi Futatsumata. The creation of a light-pool thanks to the terrace, allows diffusing the reflected light from the ceiling to the first floor through the atrium.
The majority of the exterior, such as the terrace louvers and garage shutters, were finished with hot-dip galvanized steel. This project decision creates a contrast between the day and night building expression.
The majority of the exterior, such as the terrace louvers and garage shutters, were finished with hot-dip galvanized steel. This project decision creates a contrast between the day and night building expression.
Description of project by Koichi Futatsumata
This is a two floor wooden house in a quiet residential area in the city center. The client requested us to provide two parking spaces, to build the structure to the maximum, and to create a courtyard while ensuring security. Based on these requirements, we proposed a plan with a terrace on the second floor. In a dense residential area, it is usually challenging to get an adequate amount of light on to the ground floor. Surrounding this site, there was a low-rise apartment building, and a house of the same height. Thus, we set up a terrace on the second floor and gently divided it with angled louvers to create an intermediate space that allows light and wind to pass through while shielding the view from the neighboring land. The terrace is located on the opposite side of the staircase, creating a light-pool and diffusing the reflected light from the ceiling to the first floor through the atrium.
In addition, there were concerns of low ceiling heights due to the setback restriction on the site and the client's request for the central air conditioning ducts for the entire building. Therefore, instead of installing unnecessary lighting fixtures on the ceiling, indirect lighting along the angled ceiling was used to control the atmosphere of the LDK on the second floor. This allowed the low ceilings to create a sense of openness and serenity, while providing a stable air environment throughout the seasons. In addition, the V-shaped metal plates for lighting extend over the entire second floor, giving a sense of depth to the space.
The majority of the exterior, such as the terrace louvers and garage shutters, were finished with hot-dip galvanized steel. The exterior walls are paneled with plates of the same finish, giving the building a solid appearance despite its wooden nature. During the day, the exterior wall reflects the surrounding green and artifacts, but at the night it gives a different expression. We also aimed to create an architecture that allows you to enjoy the changes in texture and the aging of materials gradually changing with time.
More information
Architects
Collaborators
Design Cooperation, Construction.- Yoshida building firm. Lighting Plan.- Tatsuki Nakamura (Branch lighting design).
Area
Building Area.- 96.37 m². Floor Area.- 192.74 m²(1F/96.37 m², 2F/96.37 m². Site area.- 148.7 m².
Dates
Jul 2018 – Jul 2020.
Location
Tokyo, Japan.
Photography
Koichi Futatsumata
Koichi Futatsumata is a Designer born in Kagoshima, Japan in 1975. He is based in Fukuoka and Tokyo working internationally with variety of works including architectures, furnitures, products and objects.
The head of both studios, "CASE-REAL" and "KOICHI FUTATSUMATA STUDIO". The representative products and objects are “Kiulu Bench(Artek/2019)”, "Cutlery for valerie_objects (valerie_objects/2015)", "SHOE STOOL (Opinion Ciatti/2014)", "in the sky (E&Y/2010)," "HAMMOCK (E&Y/2009)" and others.
Also, in 2011, his work "22 (EK Japan/2009)" was added to the permanent collection at San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Representative architectural and interior works include: “DDD HOTEL (Tokyo, 2019)”, “AESOP SHINJUKU (Tokyo, 2019)”, “CHALET W (Hokkaido(Niseko, 2019)” and others. Received many awards.
The head of both studios, "CASE-REAL" and "KOICHI FUTATSUMATA STUDIO". The representative products and objects are “Kiulu Bench(Artek/2019)”, "Cutlery for valerie_objects (valerie_objects/2015)", "SHOE STOOL (Opinion Ciatti/2014)", "in the sky (E&Y/2010)," "HAMMOCK (E&Y/2009)" and others.
Also, in 2011, his work "22 (EK Japan/2009)" was added to the permanent collection at San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Representative architectural and interior works include: “DDD HOTEL (Tokyo, 2019)”, “AESOP SHINJUKU (Tokyo, 2019)”, “CHALET W (Hokkaido(Niseko, 2019)” and others. Received many awards.
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