This project is located in Kitage Castle cho, the most populous town in Nara Prefecture, Japan. The main objective was to design and construct a single-story reinforced concrete annex within a residential neighborhood.
The annex is separate from the main house and functions as a place for hosting guests and fostering communication. It is designed without a bathroom, featuring only essential water facilities. The goal is to create a space that highlights the beauty of natural light and materials.
The building employs a wall construction method that eliminates the need for beams and columns within the space. A large skylight is positioned centrally, allowing natural light to shift dynamically throughout the day. Black Tanizaki paper, used as a decorative element, softly diffuses the light, reflecting the changing sky across seasons and weather conditions.
On one side of the small garden (tsuboniwa), the design incorporates a narrow slit opening to introduce natural light reflected off the ground floor walls, enhancing the connection between interior and exterior.
In recent years, with communication shifting largely to social media and the internet, there is a growing need for spaces that support online interaction and work. This design creates an environment that encourages meaningful communication beyond everyday life, while maintaining privacy within a densely populated residential area.
Project Drawings
△ Plan View
△ Section Diagram
Project Information
Architect: Akihiro Tai Architectural Design Office, Koyori
Area: 42 m²
Project Year: 2023
Photographer: Junichi Usui
Partner: Akihiro Tai
Internal Structure: Rakusei Giken Co., Ltd
Japanese Paper Art: Wataru Hatano
Furniture Design: Akitomo Furniture Manufacturing Studio
Construction Unit: Takagishi Construction Co., Ltd
Structural Design: Takeshi Kaneko Structural Design Office
Lighting Design: ModulaX
Location: Koyori, Japan
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