O Residence
Generally speaking Japanese people are very sensitive for a direction of a building.
It is because the direction of light is considered to be an important factor in daily life. In design of a house, it is often that it is requested lighting from the south side.
As a result, the existence of the balcony becomes one of indispensable element in city environment. A lot of balconies in the form that jumped out outside are seen in multifamily housing.
"The ENGAWA" which has been one of the elements of a Japanese traditional building served to be able to tie outside space and inside space seamlessly. A modern Japanese "balcony" resembles it with a role of a traditional "ENGAWA".
However, consideration of a design for balconies has not been enough by functional priority and loses a scene. This made the townscape in Japan unattractive.
When planning this house I tried to solve this problem.
In The Cross Wall Residence, the composition by intermediary spaces is used as a method to live in the city.
The site is corner ground of 130m2. And it faces two directions covered with cherry trees. In late March to April,family can enjoy flowering of beautiful cherry trees through a balcony from their room. It is his special privilege is a valuable thing because a cherry tree is the floral art that is special for Japanese. This factor acted as an important incentive in making the plan.
The Cross Wall Residence is designed by combination of white frame and black frame with three layers composition. This frame brings the building senses of depth and the unity. Moreover, it controlled openness and closing balance in the city environment.
Two void involved to the frame brings continuity of scene inside and outside on the site. This also secure lighting and excellent environment to the house next door at the same time.
The balcony of the second floor possesses a function as a porch of a borderland and control of eyes from a walker. In addition,because it is built on an outstanding site facing T-shaped road, the appearance of a cross frame gives an impressive impact.
