House Y in Komae｜Takayoshi Nakamura Architects & Associates

Although built on a modest budget, this house features a motorcycle garage for a Harley-Davidson. Rather than creating a separate garage, the garage shares space with the entrance, overcoming the constraints on floor area imposed by both the budget and building regulations while keeping the house compact as a whole. The arrangement allows the owners to admire their beloved motorcycle every day, even when they are not riding it, and to display it in the entrance space as if it were an exhibit.

Since the wife is from an area known for Ōya stone production, the stone was used for the wall of the entrance, which also serves as the motorcycle garage, as well as part of the exterior wall, making it a distinctive design feature. Another characteristic element of the house’s exterior is the large movable fence, which also functions as a gate. Acting as a filter between the house and its surroundings, it provides an appropriate degree of privacy and creates a sense of calm within. In this way, the exterior spaces in front of the entrance and the garden were designed to function as transitional spaces between indoors and out.

A void was created above the living-dining-kitchen area, bringing in light filtered through the bamboo grove on the neighboring property to the south. As the central space of the house, it also creates a gentle sense of connection with the private spaces on the second floor. Partially exposing the timber structural members gives the interior a simple, warm atmosphere. Despite the cost constraints, we believe the result is a comfortable home that reflects the character of this family.

Building Overview

Structure: Two-story timber-framed construction
Total floor area: 83.76 m² (25.34 tsubo)
Site area: 110.04 m² (33.29 tsubo)

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