blog: design, place, people

Explore Niseko and beyond with us. [Photos © Sanctuary Niseko unless stated otherwise]

Seafront Living | 4x4 House

The taut cement surface, perforated with the anchors of the formwork, envelop the house and represent all that is associated with the way Tadao Ando builds. The western facade is interrupted by four thin vertical windows that light up the stairway behind it (the pivot of the building) and are randomly associated with three other smaller openings.

The eastern facade has three smaller square openings, while on the ground floor one can see a vertical window like those included in the western front. To the north is the entrance, above which is a rectangular window, while to the south there are two more windows of different sizes that correspond nicely for the second and third floors. Crowning the whole volume is a cube dominated by glass. This top floor protrudes slightly to the east in contrast to the rest of the building.

The whole building represents a series of surprises, from the entrance, which is on the opposing facade, to the strange yet functional windows that adorn the otherwise somewhat bleak facades. The entire composition is of course dependent on the small plot size of 4 x 4 meters and relies on the glass cube that crowns it to define its distinctive character.

The building move the stairway from its axis so the four floors (and basement) would lead up to the two-storey living space. This way, the stairwell, after leading up through the first two floors consisting of cement (with the bathroom and bedroom, respectively), leads to the third floor with its generously glazed study and the top floor, a living space with views of the sea.

Ando has created a viewpoint that allows the gaze of anyone in the building to wander in just one direction - toward the see - while the structure's walls become the frame of the picture.

source: architectuul.com

The Gorgeous Parisian Apartment of Paola Navone

Inspired by her travels, Gervasoni 1882's Creative Director Paola Navone made her Paris apartment feel like an eclectic summer country house. The bathroom and master bedroom invoke the Mediterranean, while touches of Asia – another of her favorite destinations – are peppered throughout her home.

cotemaison.fr
photo: Jean-Marc Palisse

REPOSITORY by Jun Igarashi Architects

Asahikawa, summer is more than 30 degrees, and winter becomes -30 degrees. Here is the region that is very big difference in the temperature.

So this house has only small openings and insulation performance up. And a buffer zone make a moderate the relationship with the outside world. The exterior walls use pine from Hokkaido. And also structure timbers use from a local material. I took the wooden structure because of good thermal conductivity.

Plan surrounds the two halls (living dining/master bedroom) and washing room by small rooms , which form a buffer zone. Washing room has top light and it introduce the light to the entire of house. And also curtain make diffuse light. By creating a buffer zone, it makes improving in thermal environment, and also can connect on human psychology and the surrounding environment. Natural environment is a great presence. But sometimes it sudden change to a stern expression. This is the architecture that is thinking the relationship between the natural environment and the indoor environment continues to change daily.

from: Jun Igarashi Architects
photo: Daici Ano
jun-igarashi.com/en/works/057repository.html#