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An Ambiguous Zone Connecting Interior and Exterior.
The doma is a rich, ambiguous space that is neither fully exterior nor interior. It allows for activities without removing shoes, making it versatile for tasks such as gardening, bicycle maintenance, and DIY projects. By incorporating the traditional Japanese doma concept into modern residences, the scope of daily living is expanded.
Spacious Earthen Floor Area Extending from the Entrance.
By extending the earthen floor beyond the entrance to the living room and kitchen, a dynamic spatial experience is created. This design enhances practicality by allowing bicycles and strollers to be pushed directly inside and providing a temporary storage area for shopping bags. The earthen floor becomes an integral part of the daily circulation, resulting in a flexible and functional living environment.
Flooring Materials: Mortar and Tiles.
For earthen floors, hard and durable materials such as mortar finishes, tile installations, or exposed aggregate surfaces are suitable. The atmosphere can vary significantly depending on the color and texture, so select materials that harmonize with the overall design of the residence. The choice of material ultimately defines the character of the earthen floor.
Seating Area Utilizing Level Differences.
By incorporating a level difference between the earthen floor and the interior floor, the stepped section serves as a seating area. Occupants can sit on the interior side to put on shoes or sit on the earthen floor side to enjoy views of the garden, enabling versatile usage. The level difference creates a distinct place within the space.
Compatibility with Wood-Burning Stoves.
Installing a wood-burning stove on an earthen floor allows you to leverage the floor's fire-resistant properties. Tasks such as carrying in firewood and cleaning out ashes can be performed on the earthen floor without concern for dirt or damage. The lifestyle centered around the warmth of the fire harmonizes exceptionally well with the earthen floor.
Storage for Bicycles and Motorcycles.
With a dirt floor area, bicycles and motorcycles can be stored indoors. This eliminates concerns about theft and provides protection from rain and wind. Maintenance work can also be performed on the dirt floor, allowing the space to function as an area to enjoy your hobby. The dirt floor thus serves as a garage for your prized vehicles.
Earthen Floor as a Workspace.
For activities that involve dirt and mess, such as DIY projects, pottery, and gardening, an earthen floor provides an ideal workspace. It allows for the use of water and tolerates floor soiling without concern, enabling full concentration on the task at hand. By installing workbenches and shelving, the space can also function effectively as a professional-grade atelier.
Ideal for Living with Pets.
For households with dogs, the earthen floor area allows for wiping paws after walks and storing pet supplies. This space provides a comfortable environment for pets, functioning as an intermediate zone between the interior and exterior. The earthen floor plays a significant role in harmonious living with pets.
Thermal Insulation, Airtightness, and Thermal Environment.
Since the earthen floor tends to become cold during winter, enhancing thermal insulation and airtightness improves comfort. Conversely, it also offers the benefit of feeling cooler in summer. Adjusting the thermal environment according to the seasons is key to ensuring year-round comfort.
Multipurpose functionality enabled by storage shelving.
By installing storage shelves on the walls of the earthen floor area, a variety of items such as shoes, outdoor equipment, tools, and gardening supplies can be organized efficiently. Both open shelves and those with doors can be selected according to the intended use. Enhanced storage capacity improves the functionality of the earthen floor space.
A Place for Family Gatherings.
By integrating the earthen floor area with the dining and living spaces, it becomes a lively place where the family gathers. Placing tables and chairs on the earthen floor allows for dining, children’s play, and other flexible uses. The earthen floor becomes the focal point of daily life.
Fusion of Tradition and Modernity.
The doma is a traditional Japanese space, but by integrating it with contemporary design, a new appeal emerges. Combining modern furniture and lighting creates a unique blend of Japanese and Western aesthetics. While inheriting tradition, create a doma that suits modern living.
Balance Between Appropriate Height and Floor Area.
The balance between the height of the atrium and the floor area significantly influences the spatial impression. If the ceiling is too high, the space may feel unsettled; if too low, the effect of the atrium diminishes. Generally, for two-story buildings, a height of approximately 5 to 6 meters is common. However, it is essential to determine the height while also considering maintenance and cleaning accessibility.
Optimization of Daylighting Design.
A major appeal of atriums is their ability to capture natural light from elevated positions. By effectively positioning clerestory windows, brightness can be distributed throughout the entire home. However, since solar heat gain in summer can also increase, it is advisable to plan for adjustments using features such as extended eaves or shading blinds.
Expansive Sightlines and a Sense of Openness.
The atrium connects the first and second floors, creating a visual expansiveness. From the corridors and rooms on the second floor, one can see through the atrium to the first floor, and conversely, the presence of the upper floor can be sensed from the first floor, fostering a sense of family connection. However, it is also necessary to consider the balance with privacy.
Measures for Thermal Environment Control.
Atriums tend to allow warm air to rise easily, which can pose challenges for heating efficiency during winter. Comfort can be maintained by circulating air with ceiling fans, adopting underfloor heating systems, and implementing thorough high insulation measures. The introduction of whole-house air conditioning is also an effective option for homes with atriums.
Sound Resonance and Sound Insulation.
Due to the open atrium design, sound transmits easily, causing television audio and conversations from the first floor to resonate on the second floor. Rooms requiring quietness, such as bedrooms and studies, should be strategically located away from the atrium to mitigate noise transmission. Conversely, this design can be advantageous by allowing family members to sense each other's presence.
Lighting Design and Ease of Replacement.
Lighting fixtures positioned at high locations are challenging to replace and maintain; therefore, selecting long-life LED lighting or adopting spotlights is practical. Additionally, suspending pendant lights at extended lengths can serve as an accent within the space. The arrangement of lighting significantly influences the ambiance during both day and night.
Design of Handrails and Knee Walls.
In areas overlooking the atrium from the second floor, handrails and knee walls are required to ensure safety. Glass handrails provide unobstructed sightlines and create an open atmosphere, while wooden lattice handrails impart a warm ambiance. It is important to consider detailing that balances both design and safety.
Airflow and Ventilation Planning.
By creating a natural airflow utilizing atriums, the overall ventilation performance of the house is enhanced. Installing air inlets at the lower levels and exhaust outlets at the upper levels promotes natural ventilation driven by temperature differences. However, caution is necessary to prevent the intrusion of cold air during winter; therefore, incorporating operable mechanisms is advisable.
Relationship with the Staircase.
By designing the atrium and staircase as an integrated unit, the space becomes more striking. Positioning the staircase adjacent to the atrium allows occupants to experience a sense of spatial expansion when moving between floors. Utilizing a skeleton staircase further enhances visual permeability and increases the feeling of openness.
Relationship with Furniture Layout.
In spaces with atriums, furniture placement is also crucial. Increasing the window area can sometimes limit the locations available for furniture. By effectively utilizing built-in furniture to maximize wall surfaces or by anticipating furniture arrangement during the spatial planning phase, it is possible to achieve a balance between functionality and openness.
Consideration for Privacy.
The connection between the first and second floors through the atrium facilitates the transmission of sound and presence. While this can be positively regarded as fostering family communication, it is necessary to carefully arrange private rooms such as bedrooms to ensure privacy. It is important to consider a balance that aligns with the lifestyle.
Considerations on Cost Aspects.
Creating an atrium reduces the floor area on the second floor; however, since the surface area of walls and windows tends to increase, the impact on construction costs cannot be generalized. Additionally, it is necessary to consider the running costs of heating and cooling. Nevertheless, the sense of openness and the richness of the lighting environment gained are values that cannot be measured by cost alone. It is advisable to determine the scale and specifications of the atrium while balancing the budget.
Q&A
House with a Doma|Stylish Atriums|Q&A
What is the practical size to allocate for a doma (earthen floor space)?
The appropriate size varies depending on its intended use, but an area of approximately 4 to 6 tatami mats allows for versatile functionality. For storage of bicycles or strollers, 2 to 3 tatami mats may suffice. Considering the family composition and lifestyle, it is advisable to design with some margin to accommodate potential future changes in use.
What materials are suitable for flooring in earthen-floored spaces (doma)?
Common materials include tamped earth (sanwado), mortar, and tiles. Mortar is relatively inexpensive and provides a clean finish but requires measures to prevent cracking. Tiles offer excellent ease of cleaning and a wide range of design options. Natural tamped earth has moisture-regulating properties but requires regular maintenance. Selection should be made according to the intended use.
How should the boundary between the earthen floor area and the living space be planned?
It is common practice to establish a clear distinction by incorporating a step or level difference. A height difference of approximately 15 to 20 centimeters helps prevent the intrusion of dust and dirt. Using sliding doors or shoji screens as partitions allows for flexible control between openness and privacy. Additionally, to maintain thermal performance, proper insulation and airtightness treatment at the boundary are crucial considerations.
What are the appropriate methods for implementing thermal insulation measures in earthen floors?
The standard practice is to install insulation materials beneath the earthen floor slab, known as slab insulation. It is essential to use airtight gaskets between the foundation and the sill plate to prevent cold air infiltration into the interior. Additionally, an appropriate ventilation strategy is necessary to address condensation issues. Designing with consideration for the overall thermal performance balance of the entire residence is crucial.
Is ventilation equipment necessary for work conducted on earthen floors?
Depending on the nature of the work, we recommend installing exhaust fans to manage odors, humidity, and dust emissions. It is effective to combine mechanical ventilation with natural ventilation. Please also consider integrating the system with a 24-hour ventilation system.
Is it possible to design with an emphasis on the connection between the earthen floor space and the garden?
By incorporating sliding doors that provide direct access from the doma to the garden and creating large openings without level differences, a seamless integration between indoor and outdoor spaces can be achieved. Techniques such as extending the eaves to form a semi-outdoor area or continuing the doma flooring material onto the outdoor terrace are also effective. This approach results in a highly attractive residence that allows for gardening activities even during rainy weather.
What are the spatial advantages of incorporating an atrium?
The vertical expansion creates a sense of openness that exceeds the actual floor area. It fosters a sense of unity between the upper and lower floors, which can enhance family communication. Additionally, natural light can be introduced through high-positioned windows, illuminating even the deep recesses of the first floor. This results in an attractive spatial design that enriches the entire building.
Are there effective methods to maintain a comfortable thermal environment in spaces with double-height ceilings?
To enhance heating efficiency, installing ceiling fans to promote air circulation is effective. Additionally, incorporating underfloor heating warms the space from the floor upward, thereby reducing vertical temperature gradients. During summer, it is important to implement appropriate shading strategies to minimize heat gain through high-level windows. Buildings with high thermal insulation specifications can achieve a more efficient and comfortable thermal environment.
How should curtains and windows be planned in spaces with double-height ceilings?
For windows positioned at high elevations, the use of motorized curtain tracks is practical. Additionally, honeycomb shades or pleated screens can enhance thermal insulation. From a design perspective, long curtains emphasize the verticality of the space, creating a heightened sense of dynamism. It is recommended to carefully consider operability and maintenance when planning.
What are the benefits of installing a ceiling fan in a double-height space?
A ceiling fan not only serves as a design accent but also offers significant functional advantages. In summer, the airflow generated by its rotation lowers the perceived temperature, creating a cooling effect. In winter, it circulates the warm air that tends to accumulate near the ceiling downward, enhancing heating efficiency. As a result, it contributes to an energy-efficient and comfortable indoor environment throughout the year.
Do you have any ideas for effectively utilizing the second-floor corridors and halls that face the atrium?
The bright and open spaces facing the atrium can serve as luxurious, multifunctional areas. For example, installing built-in counters can create study corners or home offices that the entire family can use. Alternatively, adding bookshelves can transform the space into a library area. Placing sofas allows the space to function as a secondary living room where one can relax while feeling connected to the family downstairs.
Can the effect of a double-height void be achieved even on a narrow site?
Certainly, it is effective. In fact, precisely because the space is limited, the sense of openness created by a double-height void becomes even more pronounced. By leveraging vertical space, a compact area can achieve a rich living environment. However, it is crucial to carefully consider the balance with functional spatial allocation.
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