Tokyo House 'kado'
This small house is designed as a prototype to fit typical tiny lots in Tokyo.
We planned this prototype to be built by anyone, at anywhere so that this can be sold as a kind of product, which can be chosen by anyone and be used at any location. In order to correspond to various lifestyles, the interior is designed as a single room with less partitions, and the floor plan has a flexibility to adjust to the clients different needs. Also, in order to adjust various sites with different conditions, we applied a compact plan, in which we can change directions and foot prints.
However, what is important in designing this product house which will be located in tiny sites surrounded with neighboring buildings is to make a sense of spatial openness that contributes to the richness of life there. Although the well treated openings and the continuity of the interior space give a sense of openness to this house, the most unique feature in this house is a 38 degree angled, 6m x 7m ceiling surface that creates the second sky above the interior space. On this smooth ceiling surface, with no lighting fixtures to disturb, finished with shiny paint in contrast to the rough finish on the wall, reflects colors of the sky coming in from the high side window on the south, reflects a flickering light and shadows of the people to create a sense of spatial infinity beyond a physical boundary surface.
