House in Ookayama by Torafu Architects

Posted by admin on Oct 29, 2011 in ARCHITECTURE

Due to limited living space, Japanese architects are often required to build upwards. Torafu Architects fulfilled the task of building up, and also managed to create more space by playing with layers of the building. The layout of the house in Ookayama, incorporates different layers to serve various purposes and to make more room in the house. Because occupants had many belongings, the design had to incorporate storage space within the home. Each part of the home is connected with stairs which bear various designs. The space between the steps of a staircase can be used for storage. The floor of a living room can extend into the bedroom where it can serve as a desk. The bay windows in the wall which connect to the ceilings can become a bench, creating a feeling of loftiness. Boards are installed between walls from the first to third floor to create shelves and desks that make for a big storage wall by using the structure of the home. The design of the home blurs the boundaries between building and furniture through a method in which architectural components also serve as furniture pieces.