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](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/09/House-in-Asahiku-by-Coo-Planning_dezeen_468_0.jpg)
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](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/09/House-in-Asahiku-by-Coo-Planning_dezeen_468_1.jpg)
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](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/09/House-in-Asahiku-by-Coo-Planning_dezeen_468_3.jpg)
"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](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/09/House-in-Asahiku-by-Coo-Planning_dezeen_468_4.jpg)
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](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/09/House-in-Asahiku-by-Coo-Planning_dezeen_468_6.jpg)
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](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/09/House-in-Asahiku-by-Coo-Planning_dezeen_468_10.jpg)
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](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/09/House-in-Asahiku-by-Coo-Planning_dezeen_468_11.jpg)
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](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/09/House-in-Asahiku-by-Coo-Planning_dezeen_468_14.jpg)
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](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/09/House-in-Asahiku-by-Coo-Planning_dezeen_468_20.jpg)
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](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/09/House-in-Asahiku-by-Coo-Planning_dezeen_468_21.jpg)
The kitchen sits alongside the living room, featuring tiled surfaces and a stainless steel counter.
![House in Asahiku by Coo Planning](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/09/House-in-Asahiku-by-Coo-Planning_dezeen_468_19.jpg)
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](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/09/House-in-Asahiku-by-Coo-Planning_dezeen_468_15.jpg)
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](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/09/House-in-Asahiku-by-Coo-Planning_dezeen_2.gif)
![House in Asahiku by Coo Planning](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/09/House-in-Asahiku-by-Coo-Planning_dezeen_1.gif)