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 House T by Hiroyuki Shinozaki](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/08/dezeen_House-T-by-Hiroyuki-Shinozaki_2.jpg)
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 House T by Hiroyuki Shinozaki](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/08/dezeen_House-T-by-Hiroyuki-Shinozaki_1.jpg)
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 House T by Hiroyuki Shinozaki](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/08/dezeen_House-T-by-Hiroyuki-Shinozaki_4.jpg)
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 House T by Hiroyuki Shinozaki](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/08/dezeen_House-T-by-Hiroyuki-Shinozaki_5.jpg)
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 House T by Hiroyuki Shinozaki](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/08/dezeen_House-T-by-Hiroyuki-Shinozaki_6.jpg)
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 House T by Hiroyuki Shinozaki](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/08/dezeen_House-T-by-Hiroyuki-Shinozaki_8.jpg)
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 House T by Hiroyuki Shinozaki](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/08/dezeen_House-T-by-Hiroyuki-Shinozaki_10.jpg)
See all our stories about Japanese houses »
![House T by Hiroyuki Shinozaki House T by Hiroyuki Shinozaki](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/08/dezeen_House-T-by-Hiroyuki-Shinozaki_11.jpg)
Photography is by Hiroyasu Sakaguchi.
![House T by Hiroyuki Shinozaki House T by Hiroyuki Shinozaki](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/08/dezeen_House-T-by-Hiroyuki-Shinozaki_9.jpg)
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 House T by Hiroyuki Shinozaki](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/08/dezeen_House-T-by-Hiroyuki-Shinozaki_13.jpg)
Furniture is put on each floor to create living room, dining room, kitchen and bedroom.
![House T by Hiroyuki Shinozaki House T by Hiroyuki Shinozaki](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/08/dezeen_House-T-by-Hiroyuki-Shinozaki_12.jpg)
The floors are only hooked by columns which are three-dimensionally intersected at the middle of the box.
![House T by Hiroyuki Shinozaki House T by Hiroyuki Shinozaki](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/08/dezeen_House-T-by-Hiroyuki-Shinozaki_plan_1.gif)
This simple structure gives latitude for space composition.
![House T by Hiroyuki Shinozaki House T by Hiroyuki Shinozaki](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/08/dezeen_House-T-by-Hiroyuki-Shinozaki_plan_3.gif)
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 House T by Hiroyuki Shinozaki](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/08/dezeen_House-T-by-Hiroyuki-Shinozaki_plan_5.gif)
Lighting hangs from top of the box to each floor to illuminate them like a floating stage.
![House T by Hiroyuki Shinozaki House T by Hiroyuki Shinozaki](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/08/dezeen_House-T-by-Hiroyuki-Shinozaki_plan_2.gif)
Client: A couple
![House T by Hiroyuki Shinozaki House T by Hiroyuki Shinozaki](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/08/dezeen_House-T-by-Hiroyuki-Shinozaki_plan_4.gif)
Location: Tokyo, Japan
![House T by Hiroyuki Shinozaki House T by Hiroyuki Shinozaki](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/08/dezeen_House-T-by-Hiroyuki-Shinozaki_section.gif)
Built area: 75.62 sq m (total)
![House T by Hiroyuki Shinozaki House T by Hiroyuki Shinozaki](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/08/dezeen_House-T-by-Hiroyuki-Shinozaki_section_2.gif)
Completion date: May 2012
![House T by Hiroyuki Shinozaki House T by Hiroyuki Shinozaki](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/08/dezeen_House-T-by-Hiroyuki-Shinozaki_section_3.gif)
Structure: Wood Flame, two-storey
![House T by Hiroyuki Shinozaki House T by Hiroyuki Shinozaki](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/08/dezeen_House-T-by-Hiroyuki-Shinozaki_section_4.gif)