House in Ushiku

Ushiku, Japan

Photo © Ken'ichi Suzuki

Single Houses

Architects: Yashima architect and associates

Location: Ushiku, Japan
Year: 2011

To blend in naturally with the town, the house was built as a single-storey building with skip floors in line with the slope of the road, with the volume kept low and the whole covered by a large single-flow roof.

The open living/dining room and guest room are located on the south side, where natural light pours in, while the private bedrooms, study and water area are located on the north side, with the entrance, kitchen and library corner as intermediate areas connecting them. Although the circular plan does not completely partition each of these areas, the different atmospheres of the different areas are created by the difference in the floor levels and the change in the amount of light coming in through the windows.

The large opening on the south side of the living/dining room is fitted with sliding shoji doors and wooden blinds, so that the room can be set up in a way that is comfortable for each season. Top lights above the entrance and in the bedrooms allow light to fall on the back of the building. The light is bounced around by the soft Oya stone, the plaster which reflects the light, and the dull shiny lauan wood of the ceiling, enveloping the entire space.