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144 sq.m.
1,550 sq.ft.

The site locates in the center of the town with 300,000 habitants and, since it is surrounded by the buildings, it is impossible to see the scenery. The region is one of the regiones with heaviest snow, at maximum 3 meters depth.

concept of design
In the site, the cleaning factory of the family buisiness is left. Due to the building regulations that prohibit to connects the old building with the new construction to avoid the problem in the earthquake, both buildings are separated. Between both buildings, the passage as a connection space is planned and is covered with big eaves that avoids the heavy snow.

The main space of the house is the 1st floor in consideration with the old grandparents and, on the first floor is a big loft.

The big loft with large windows connects house in the various phase.

The first is a loft as a storage space that is a memory of the family. The second is a space from that each room on the 1st floor is taken via openings in the ceiling at the heavy snow season. The third is that the family is softly connected according to transmitting the sign of each room via the opening of the ceiling.

On the ceiling above the loft, the lights of each room that leaks from the openings are reflected and the sound of the activity is transmitted dimly. Family's sign mixes indirectly at the height of the loft, and a new type's communication that is different from the usual house with private room or the house of one big room type generates. The sign is also overlapped with the sign of the family on the time according to the things put on the loft.

 

Loaction : Nagaoka, Nigata, Japan

Architect : Daigo Ishii + Future-scape Architects

Structure Engineer : Syoichi Nagumo + Takumi Architectural Design Office

Mechanical Engineer: Zo Environmental Design Office

Cooperation : Hiroyuki Kato

Construction : Ikeda-gumi Construction COmpany

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Through the opening of the loft on the 2nd floor, the sign of each room on the 1st floor is transmitted. When it gets dark, the opening emerges brightly with the lights in each room on the 1st floor.

See the loft on the 2nd floor during the winter daytime. A place to introduce natural light, place things, and convey the signs of the family. The window has four air layers, which has high heat insulation performance and prevents heat loss.

See the high window of the loft on the 2nd floor. The mirrored wall is a structural wall, but the mirror weakens the impression of the wall and diffuses the light.

See the high window of the loft on the 2nd floor. The scenery of the loft is reflected on the mirrored structural wall.

A model on the 1st floor. Several flow lines from the store on the upper side to the south garden on the lower side via the alley are established, and the family member can come and go in various ways.

A model on the 2nd floor. Most is a large loft to put things that are memories of the family. Natural light from the high windows is transmitted to the 1st floor through the opening on the loft floor.

See the exterior appearance in the winter. In the winter, 3m of snow accumulates at maximum and the 1st floor may be under the accumulated snow, but natural light from the high windows on the 2nd floor reaches the 1st floor. The roof is designed to withstand 1m of snow, but there is also a snowmelt panel with hot water on the roof.

See the living room for parents on the 1st floor in the winter. Bright light falls from the loft on the 2nd floor. Inside the glass window, a wooden fitting with insulation is placed to prevent heat loss.

See the living room for parents on the 1st floor. A folding door is installed between the parents' bedroom on the left side, which can be opened and closed to use integrally or separately.

See the living room for parents on the 1st floor, which can see the garden. The room is bright with light from the loft on the 2nd floor.

See the living room for parents from below on the 1st floor and from the loft on the second floor.

See the Japanese-style room for the guest that is shared by two households. The opening at the top of the bedroom can be closed with an open / close cover.

See the Japanese-style room shared by two households on the 1st floor. Bright light falls from the loft on the 2nd floor through the opening in the ceiling.

The washroom on the 1st floor. Although it is not in contact with the outside, light comes in through the opening in the ceiling via the loft on the 2nd floor.

See the Japanese-style room on the 1st floor from the loft on the 2nd floor.

See the loft from the LDK for the owner couple on the 2nd floor. The loft is separated from the space where children can enter and exit, so it is not easy to enter and safety is taken into consideration.

See the loft on the 2nd floor in the evening. A sign of light rises from each room on the 1st floor.

See the loft on the 2nd floor. Various things as memories of the family are placed. Photo: Kenta Hasegawa.

A part of the 2nd floor is the LDK for the owner couple. It is separated from the loft by glass and children cannot easily enter it. Photo: Kenta Hasegawa

See the kitchen for the parents on the 1st floor. It is bright with light from the loft on the 2nd floor. Storages such as built-in shelves and storage are provided.

See the exterior appearance on the street side. The alley was created between the existing building on the left. It is a space that connects the existing building and the newly built part.

See the exterior appearance on the street side at the beginning of winter snowfall, (Right) See the alley. In the winter, a snow fence net is attached to the part where the light enters, and a semi-outdoor space without snow appears, which is rare in north Japan. Photo on the right : Kenta Hasegawa

 

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