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House T by Hiroyuki Shinozaki Architects

There are huge rectangular holes in the walls and floors of this Tokyo house by Japanese studio Hiroyuki Shinozaki Architects.

House T by Hiroyuki Shinozaki

Wooden ladders connect each of the four split-level storeys and a staircase with built-in storage leads up from the ground floor studio to the dining room and kitchen on the staggered floor above.

House T by Hiroyuki Shinozaki

One ladder travels up from the dining room to the living room, which then steps down to the bedroom through the wide hole in the wall.

House T by Hiroyuki Shinozaki

Another ladder connects the living room with the skeletal top level, where four holes in the floor give the room a cross-shaped layout.

House T by Hiroyuki Shinozaki

A small study area is sunken into one of these holes and residents use the floor above it as a desk.

House T by Hiroyuki Shinozaki

Lamps of different lengths also hang through the holes and a final ladder leads up to a terrace on the roof.

House T by Hiroyuki Shinozaki

Similar Japanese houses we've featured include a split-level residence with a narrow lightwell and another house with holes in the walls.

House T by Hiroyuki Shinozaki

See all our stories about Japanese houses »

House T by Hiroyuki Shinozaki

Photography is by Hiroyasu Sakaguchi.

House T by Hiroyuki Shinozaki

Here's some information from the architects:


House T is a residence and atelier for a couple in the centre of Tokyo. Floors like bookshelves are placed at the different level in the shifted box.

House T by Hiroyuki Shinozaki

Furniture is put on each floor to create living room, dining room, kitchen and bedroom.

House T by Hiroyuki Shinozaki

The floors are only hooked by columns which are three-dimensionally intersected at the middle of the box.

House T by Hiroyuki Shinozaki

This simple structure gives latitude for space composition.

House T by Hiroyuki Shinozaki

In the massive volume of the box, each different activity of daily living takes place at each floor with open view.

House T by Hiroyuki Shinozaki

Lighting hangs from top of the box to each floor to illuminate them like a floating stage.

House T by Hiroyuki Shinozaki

Client: A couple

House T by Hiroyuki Shinozaki

Location: Tokyo, Japan

House T by Hiroyuki Shinozaki

Built area: 75.62 sq m (total)

House T by Hiroyuki Shinozaki

Completion date: May 2012

House T by Hiroyuki Shinozaki

Structure: Wood Flame, two-storey

House T by Hiroyuki Shinozaki