WORKS

WORKS

夢創庵 Mu Sou An

A small weekend house of 13 tsubo was planned in a quiet rural area in the town of Kamishikogen, in the northern part of Hiroshima Prefecture. On the north side of the site, there is a nostalgic Japanese landscape with bamboo groves. The site, with its old storehouses and barns, was a place where the client had spent her childhood, and the plan was centered on preserving as much of this "memorable landscape" as possible.

Surrounded by mountains on three directions, the rich natural environment has a clear view only to the southeast, where fields can be seen spreading out in that direction. The large overhanging eaves on the south side of the building softly draw the sunlight into the interior during the daytime. The low structure of the building as a whole also keeps the line of sight to the outside low, allowing the residents to feel closer to the surrounding environment.

The double-sloped eaves allow for stable sunlight and views of the trees and sky in the back of the house through the wide-open north balcony. Through this project, I feel that I have reaffirmed the importance and comfort of eaves in architecture.

The environment blessed with nature sometimes makes life at the site more difficult. During the rainy season, a large amount of rainwater from the mountain slopes on three sides of the site often floods the site. The project does not use retaining walls or large drainage ditches to create visual boundaries, but rather a simple manipulation of the floor to raise it above the ground.

The floating floor also makes the building look light and airy. However, it not only gives the impression of lightness, but when one sits on the porch and looks down at the surroundings, the south side of the building is stepped down, creating the visual effect of floating in a field.

In order to carry on the memories of childhood, materials from the barn and main building on the site were partially reused in this Yumesoan. The wooden deck used for the porch was made from the timbers left in the barn. The bamboo louvers on the porch are made of sooty bamboo removed when the main house was demolished. The sooty bamboo, which has turned a deep brown color from the smoke from the hearth, has been transformed into "nostalgic memories" over the years, and carries the breath of memories back to Yumusoan. In addition, wood-burning stoves and goemon baths are used for "living with fire. Living with fire is primitive to begin with, and it seemed meaningful to propose it in this location blessed with a natural environment.

When considering weekend residences, the concept of "unique time and peace of mind" that is separated from daily life is of deep significance. We, as architects, would be happy if we could provide such a space through our buildings.

DATA

  • Completion 2007.09
  • Building site Kamiseki-gun, Hiroshima
  • Principal use villa
  • Structure Single-storied wooden house
  • Photo Nacasa & Partners

AWORD

  • 2007 decorfeed(http://www.decorfeed.com/decorate-your-house-japanese-style/)