Dezeen Magazine

MUR by Apollo Architects and Associates

MUR by Apollo Architects & Associates

Readers have been discussing "the abundance of introverted architecture that is coming out of Japan" recently, so here's another Japanese house that blocks all views to and from the street but still draws light and air inside.

MUR by Apollo Architects and Associates

The single-storey house by Satoshi Kurosaki and architects Apollo is located in a residential neighborhood in Hodogaya Ward, Yokohama.

MUR by Apollo Architects and Associates

A wall behind the public approach allows for only a glimpse of the private courtyard within.

MUR by Apollo Architects and Associates

The windowless perimeter wall and a winding alley from the entrance give privacy to its single resident by leading visitors around the back of the living space.

MUR by Apollo Architects and Associates

Black floating steps creep up the courtyard wall to a terrace.

MUR by Apollo Architects and Associates

Large glass doors allow in light from the main courtyard and can be slid open to extend the living area.

MUR by Apollo Architects and Associates

Like boxes within a box, the living space and bedroom sit as separate elements within the perimeter wall but remain connected to the two courtyards and each other.

MUR by Apollo Architects and Associates

Photography is by Masao Nishikawa.

MUR by Apollo Architects and Associates

We've published a number of projects by Apollo Architects & Associates, including a house that features a pointy overhang and another house with no exterior windows - see all our stories about Apollo Architects & Associates here.

MUR by Apollo Architects and Associates

Here's some more information from the architects:


MUR

This one-storey residence for a single woman is located in a hilly area.

MUR by Apollo Architects and Associates

The client requested a house with an internal courtyard that would eliminate the differences in elevation throughout the site while ensuring a sense of privacy and comfort.

MUR by Apollo Architects and Associates

In response, we decided to model the facade after a simple box encircled by the walls of the building.

MUR by Apollo Architects and Associates

In order to prevent the interior from becoming just a simple one-room space, we considered each of the necessary components to be a "story."

MUR by Apollo Architects and Associates

Opening the door reveals a partial glimpse of the private courtyard that extends beyond the slender window in front of you.

MUR by Apollo Architects and Associates

A glass entrance door stands at one end of the long, narrow porch, while the skylight at the top fills the interior with a soft, gentle light.

MUR by Apollo Architects and Associates

The house is laid out in such a way that you can bypass and go around the long, narrow alley to arrive at the main living area.

MUR by Apollo Architects and Associates

In contrast with the dimensions of the alley, this voluminous space can also be integrated with the internal courtyard when the large sliding door is opened.

MUR by Apollo Architects and Associates

The bedroom, a small breakaway space that lines up with the large central portion of the building while being detached from it, also connects to the backyard, which is itself linked to the dressing room.

MUR by Apollo Architects and Associates

Click above for larger image

All of these living spaces were designed to invariably face the exterior while also ensuring a certain level of privacy.

MUR by Apollo Architects and Associates

Two different spaces and two gardens, laid out with a slight lateral deviation between them: a complex, nuanced interior was created just using a series of simple manipulations.

MUR by Apollo Architects and Associates

In contrast to the simple facade that resists being influenced by the exterior environment, a unique, individual and complex worldview takes shape within the interior of the house.

MUR by Apollo Architects and Associates

The manifold surprises that emerge from this process are precisely the essence of the "narrative" that we tried to create - the key to coaxing fresh perspectives out of both everyday and extraordinary life experiences.

MUR by Apollo Architects and Associates

Architecture: Satoshi Kurosaki/APOLLO Architects & Associates

MUR by Apollo Architects and Associates

Project Outline

Location: Hodogaya Yokohama Kanagawa
Date of Completion: Summer 2011

MUR by Apollo Architects and Associates

Principal use: private house
Structure: wood
Site area: 276.64m2

MUR by Apollo Architects and Associates

Total floor area: 80.39m2 (80.39m2/1F)
Structural engineer: Kenta Masaki
Mechanical engineer:Zennei Shimada

MUR by Apollo Architects and Associates

Material information

Exterior finish: acrylic emerson paint
Floor: solid flooring;Tiled/1F

MUR by Apollo Architects and Associates

Wall: plaster
Ceiling: plaster