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Library House by Shinichi Ogawa & Associates

A living and dining room with six-metre high ceilings sits at the centre of this small white house in Japan by architects Shinichi Ogawa & Associates (+ slideshow).

Library House by Shinichi Ogawa and Associates

The house was designed with a square-shaped plan, creating a symmetrical building where all rooms surround the central living space.

Library House by Shinichi Ogawa and Associates

The entrance sits at the centre of the east facade and leads straight into the living room, so there was no need to add any extra corridors.

Library House by Shinichi Ogawa and Associates

A wall of bookshelves lines the edge of this room, while a long narrow skylight spreads natural light across the space and glass doors lead out to private courtyards at the north and south ends of the house.

Library House by Shinichi Ogawa and Associates

"It is a house for a client who is a great reader," says Shinichi Ogawa & Associates. "He can live enjoying his reading time in this quiet but rich space, feeling the change of seasons thanks to the closed courtyards."

Library House by Shinichi Ogawa and Associates

The architects add: "The toplight makes it an impressive space, giving sky view and natural light from the upper side."

Library House by Shinichi Ogawa and Associates

Bedrooms and a bathroom wrap around the west and north sides of the house and an office is positioned in the south-east corner so that the client can work from home.

Library House by Shinichi Ogawa and Associates

Library House is located in a residential area in Tochigi and is constructed from concrete.

Library House by Shinichi Ogawa and Associates

Shinichi Ogawa first established his studio in the 1980s and has offices in Tokyo and Hiroshima. Past projects include the long narrow Minimalist House in Okinawa and Cube House in Kanagawa, which also features a double-height living room.

Library House by Shinichi Ogawa and Associates

See more houses designed by Shinichi Ogawa & Associates, or see more stories about Japanese houses on Dezeen.

Library House by Shinichi Ogawa and Associates

Above: site plan

Library House by Shinichi Ogawa and Associates

Above: floor plan

Library House by Shinichi Ogawa and Associates

Above: section north to south

Library House by Shinichi Ogawa and Associates

Above: section west to east