Dezeen Magazine

Black house in Osaka by Coo Planning features a basic plywood interior

This house in Osaka by Japanese studio Coo Planning hides a warm plywood interior behind an austere black facade (+ slideshow).

House in Asahiku by Coo Planning

Located on a narrow street to the north east of the Japanese city, House in Asahiku provides a two-storey home for a couple, sandwiched between what architect Akiyoshi Nakao describes as the "inside court" and the "outside court".

House in Asahiku by Coo Planning

The Coo Planning principal, whose past projects include a house to the south of the city, wanted to give the residence a pair of enclosed double-height spaces that would help to bring light onto the restricted plot.

House in Asahiku by Coo Planning

"The plan is completed while considering how available light would be taken in," said Nakao. "The simple composition sandwiches each room with an 'inside court' and an 'outside court'."

House in Asahiku by Coo Planning

The first of these spaces is a sheltered entranceway, which spans the space behind the metal-panel facade. A sliding black door provides access from the street.

House in Asahiku by Coo Planning

The concrete floor inside is sunken to street level, slightly lower than the floor level of the house, helping to create a transition space before arriving at the family living and dining room. There is also a staircase at one end, leading up to the first floor.

House in Asahiku by Coo Planning

The second of these spaces is tucked away the back of the site, accessed from the other end of the living room. This allows residents to bring a breeze right through the interior, and lets natural light in from two sides.

House in Asahiku by Coo Planning

Despite having only a 55-square-metre-footprint, the house also has a second staircase located alongside this rear terrace, creating a looping route around the building.

House in Asahiku by Coo Planning

The architect used Japanese larch plywood to cover walls and ceilings throughout the property. The same material was used to build bespoke furniture, while the oiled wood floors offer a matching tone.

House in Asahiku by Coo Planning

Nakao purposely chose a small amount of furniture to keep the space as simple as possible. "The light of unfilled space allows the material to express itself more richly," he said.

House in Asahiku by Coo Planning

The kitchen sits alongside the living room, featuring tiled surfaces and a stainless steel counter.

House in Asahiku by Coo Planning

A pair of bedrooms are located upstairs, alongside a pair of spare rooms that could be used for guests, but could also become children's rooms in the future.

House in Asahiku by Coo Planning

Photography is by Yuko Tada.


Project credits:

Architect: Coo Planning
Principal designer: Akiyoshi Nakao
Construction company: kk-Soken
Sub-Construction: Kobe-Style-kitchen, SanwaCompany, Tform, Daiko

House in Asahiku by Coo Planning
Floor plans – click for larger image
House in Asahiku by Coo Planning
Sections – click for larger image