House in Hiyoshi by Hiroyuki Tanaka Architects

18 February 2009

Tokyo office Hiroyuki Tanaka Architects have completed the renovation of a home in Yokohama, Japan.

Called House in Hiyoshi, the architects divided the space using book shelves and added surrounds to the existing windows, creating a desk and display case.

The apartment was designed for a young couple.

Photographs by Takumi Ota.

Here's some text from Hiroyuki Tanaka Architects:

Ventilation, a family's line of flow, and the surroundings will be changed by the double volumes.

We created spaces by cutting these volumes functionally and aesthetically.

This is renovation project was for young couple. The building stands on a cliff and each residence has its own 30sqm terrace. The residence is on the 5th floor with a view.

The couple have number of books; they wanted the book space to be like a library.

We put the shelf-wall in the center of the space so that the couple have to walk around it to get to the space near the window. This operation gave the couple a view each.

Moreover, the shelf-wall cuts corners and makes new spaces in the apartment. This new space will be used for reading.

Renovation projects always have to take over the negative part of old buildings.

Architects are troubled with structure, positioning of windows, equipments and existing ceiling height.

But, for example, we reformed the window frame as a bench and display space, succeeded in making highest ceiling level by using stand light and bracket light carefully.