A Split-Level House with a Terrace｜Archiplace

This home for a family of four stands on a corner lot along a street one block in from a major road in Tokyo.

To secure the necessary living space within the site’s limited conditions, a split-level configuration was adopted, with part of the building excavated approximately 60 cm below grade. By introducing changes in floor level while meeting legal requirements, including height control slant-line restrictions, the spaces are gently connected, creating a home that feels more expansive than its actual floor area would suggest.

A terrace was placed at the southeast corner, the center of the home. As another place to live that connects the interior with the outdoors, it brings a variety of everyday pleasures, from growing plants to maintaining outdoor equipment.

In addition, part of the building was designed as a cantilevered structure to make effective use of the site and secure parking space. The split levels and terrace, born from the site’s challenging conditions, bring a sense of spaciousness and enjoyment to family life.

Building Overview

Location　　Nerima-ku, Tokyo
Family　　　Couple + 2 children
Completion　March 2024
Structure　　Two-story timber construction (conventional post-and-beam construction)
Site area　　72.08 m² (21.80 tsubo)
Building area　51.37 m² (15.54 tsubo)
Total floor area　93.73 m² (28.35 tsubo)
Design and supervision　Archiplace
Structural design　　Satoshi Nakamura Architectural Design Office
Construction　　　Koyama Construction Co., Ltd.
Average heat transmission coefficient of the building envelope　UA = 0.44
Primary energy consumption standard　BEI = 0.76
Insulation performance　Grade 6
Seismic performance　Grade 3
Certified as a Long-Term Quality Housing
Certified under the Children’s Eco Sumai program

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