House in Ōhora is sited within a newly developed residential district.
The project began with the client’s wish above all else: to entertain guests by making coffee in a space reminiscent of a museum.
Located on the crest of land formed by cutting into the hillside, the site presents a mountain looming immediately to the south, while to the north — with a slight lift of the gaze — distant views of Mount Ontake and the Hida mountain range open up.
To bring that nature into the interior, the principal space was conceived as a high-ceilinged, tubular volume facing both north and south. The living room on the north side was raised in floor level to introduce spatial variety while securing views to both directions.
The entrance is animated by a top light whose changing illumination reveals shifting expressions to visitors. The wet areas are conceived as pure white spaces, producing an almost otherworldly atmosphere.
When the building was completed and I visited the House in Ōhora after some time, the aroma of the coffee the client prepared filled the house; coffee enjoyed in that composed yet comforting atmosphere tasted particularly exceptional.
Structure: Reinforced concrete (RC), single-storey
Primary use: Detached residence
Site area: 189.23 m² (57.1 tsubo)
Total floor area: 78.60 m² (23.7 tsubo)
First-floor area: 76.60 m² (23.7 tsubo)
Building footprint: 90.04 m² (27.3 tsubo)
