House I is a small residential in the centre of Akita city projected by architects Yoshichika Takagi + Sekkei-Sha. Despite its urban location, this is a special place as it is surrounded by car parks. Considering that the space is exposed to public eyes in all four directions, it is essential to sustain the elements of privacy.
In order to keep privacy, a basic concept was follow; rooms that need to be enclosed such has kitchen, bathroom, toilet, bedroom and storage, should be kept in box-box-shaped spaces and rooms that do not need to be enclosed are in the gaps between boxes. By applying these rules, a collection of spaces are gathered like pleats, which create many gap areas in various sizes. The space is presented with a complex structure of gaps that gives depth to the whole place as well as an illusion that there is more space beyond what is visible.
The frames installed in the walls of the boxes overlap with one another, and the whole place looks like a combination of facing mirrors depicting different sceneries.
Image credit: Toshiyuki Yano
The frames installed in the walls of the boxes overlap with one another, and the whole place looks like a combination of facing mirrors depicting different sceneries.
Image credit: Toshiyuki Yano