Dezeen Magazine

House in Aoto by High Land Design

House in Aoto by High Land Design

Japanese architect Masayoshi Takahashi of High Land Design has completed a house in Tokyo with a squared spiral staircase at its centre.

House in Aoto by High Land Design

Constructed from concrete beside a main road, the three-storey House in Aoto has a black-painted facade that screens a terrace on the rooftop.

House in Aoto by High Land Design

Rectangular windows pierce the exterior in a seemingly random arrangement to let light filter into workrooms on the ground floor, living rooms on the first floor and three bedrooms on the top floor.

House in Aoto by High Land Design

Softwood boards cover the floors of each room as well as the risers and treads of the faceted staircase, while walls and ceilings are painted white throughout.

House in Aoto by High Land Design

Other Japanese houses with focal staircases include one behind slanted walls and peepholes, plus another that spirals around a wall.

House in Aoto by High Land Design

Photography is by Toshiyuki Yano.

House in Aoto by High Land Design

Here's some more text from Masayoshi Takahashi:


This house is located in a heavily trafficked road on the north side.

House in Aoto by High Land Design

We thought that is important to be connected the scene of life continuously while moved up and down about this project.

House in Aoto by High Land Design

We placed each space like spiral around the stairs. So that it is possible to move around each space without feeling the difficulty moving up and down.

House in Aoto by High Land Design

The first floor is garage and work spaces, the second floor is a living and dining space on sunny south side, the third floor is a private room and master bedroom.

House in Aoto by High Land Design

And we have placed closed spaces (such as toilet ,storage, sanitary) on the north side. So we were able to get a quiet and sunny living environment.

House in Aoto by High Land Design

Location: Katsushika Tokyo
Architects: Masayoshi Takahashi/High Land Design
Structural engineers: A.S.Associates

House in Aoto by High Land Design

Structure: Reinforced concrete
Frame: 3stories+Roof Teracce

House in Aoto by High Land Design

Site area: 78.81m2
Built area: 50.21m2

House in Aoto by High Land Design

Total floor area: 144.50m2
Completion date:2011.12