Asymmetric House in Tourimachi slots between two buildings
Japanese studios SNARK and OUVI have slotted a six-metre-wide house with a lopsided roof between two buildings on the edge of a cemetery (+ slideshow).
![House in Tourimachi by SNARK](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/12/House-in-Tourimachi-by-SNARK_dezeen_468_1.jpg)
Located in Takasaki, a city in Japan's Gunma Prefecture, the three-storey House in Tourimachi was designed by SNARK and OUVI to provide a home for two generations of one family.
![House in Tourimachi by SNARK](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/12/House-in-Tourimachi-by-SNARK_dezeen_468_0.jpg)
The restricted nature of the plot – measuring six metres long and 13 metres wide, and with three-storey buildings on either side – prompted the architects to integrate ceiling voids, set backs and a large skylight to maximise daylight in the house.
![House in Tourimachi by SNARK](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/12/House-in-Tourimachi-by-SNARK_dezeen_468_13.jpg)
"The clients wanted a well-lit and ventilated double house duplex to share with their parents," said the architects, who have previously completed a bronze-coloured residence and a zigzagging housing development.
![House in Tourimachi by SNARK](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/12/House-in-Tourimachi-by-SNARK_dezeen_468_16.jpg)
"The main design of this architecture is the roof wrapping up the whole house, embodying the cohabitation of two generations, and working as a shade at the same time," added the team.
![House in Tourimachi by SNARK](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/12/House-in-Tourimachi-by-SNARK_dezeen_468_20.jpg)
The entrance is positioned on a side wall, sheltered beneath the overhanging eaves. It leads into the house through a small reception room.
![House in Tourimachi by SNARK](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/12/House-in-Tourimachi-by-SNARK_dezeen_468_19.jpg)
The ground floor is entirely occupied by the house's oldest occupants, while the two upper levels belong to the clients.
![House in Tourimachi by SNARK](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/12/House-in-Tourimachi-by-SNARK_dezeen_468_15.jpg)
A staircase ascends up through the middle of all three, so all spaces had to be organised around it. It was built from grey powder-coated steel and features wooden treads with open risers.
![House in Tourimachi by SNARK](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/12/House-in-Tourimachi-by-SNARK_dezeen_468_12.jpg)
The asymmetric roof slopes down to meet the middle storey, so the top level is only half the size of the two floors below it.
![House in Tourimachi by SNARK](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/12/House-in-Tourimachi-by-SNARK_dezeen_468_21.jpg)
Rather than following a rectilinear grid, this upper storey juts out at an angle to create a protected balcony in one corner. A set of exposed ceiling beams follow the same angle.
![House in Tourimachi by SNARK](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/12/House-in-Tourimachi-by-SNARK_dezeen_468_24.jpg)
This arrangement also creates a double-height space on the middle floor, which is taken up by an open-plan living room, kitchen and dining area.
![House in Tourimachi by SNARK](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/12/House-in-Tourimachi-by-SNARK_dezeen_468_23.jpg)
"This house has a slab beam sloping irrelevantly against the plan, and this helps connect the room within this compact space without constructing a pillar inside," said the architects.
![House in Tourimachi by SNARK](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/12/House-in-Tourimachi-by-SNARK_dezeen_468_26.jpg)
"There is no wall built laterally to the beams – the beam creates a separation and delivers an open space," they added.
![House in Tourimachi by SNARK](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/12/House-in-Tourimachi-by-SNARK_dezeen_468_10.jpg)
Bedrooms are positioned at the front of the house on both of these floors, while the ground-floor bedroom is tucked away at the back.
![House in Tourimachi by SNARK](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/12/House-in-Tourimachi-by-SNARK_dezeen_468_7.jpg)
Wooden floors run throughout the house, complementing wooden shelving and furniture.
![House in Tourimachi by SNARK](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/12/House-in-Tourimachi-by-SNARK_dezeen_468_4.jpg)
The kitchen on the middle floor features wooden cupboards, a tiled splash-back and a stainless steel worktop. The one on the level below features white cupboards and functions as a space divider.
![House in Tourimachi by SNARK](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/12/House-in-Tourimachi-by-SNARK_dezeen_468_6.jpg)
Photography is by Shinzawa Ippei.
Project credits:
Architect: SNARK (Sunao Koase, Naoki Mashiyama), OUVI (Shin Yokoo)
Structural engineer: Shin Yokoo/OUVI
General constructors: Miyasitakougyou
![House in Tourimachi by SNARK](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/12/House-in-Tourimachi-by-SNARK_dezeen_1.gif)
![House in Tourimachi by SNARK](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/12/House-in-Tourimachi-by-SNARK_dezeen_2.gif)
![House in Tourimachi by SNARK](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/12/House-in-Tourimachi-by-SNARK_dezeen_3.gif)
![House in Tourimachi by SNARK](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/12/House-in-Tourimachi-by-SNARK_dezeen_4.gif)