Dezeen Magazine

Gate by mihadesign

Architects mihadesign have completed a Tokyo house with sloping skylights, suspended lofts and a staircase that spirals around a wall.

Gate by mihadesign

This wall is one of three timber partitions that split the two-storey house, named Gate, into four portions.

Gate by mihadesign

The roof zigzags up and down, providing space for two ledge-like lofts above a study and one of two bedrooms.

Gate by mihadesign

Externally, ridged green steel clads the the house, which occupies a plot less than five metres wide.

Gate by mihadesign

This project shares a few characteristics with a couple of other Japanese houses on Dezeen - see our earlier stories about one with a private balcony concealed behind the facade and another with five roofs that pitch in opposing directions.

Gate by mihadesign

Photography is by Sadao Hotta.

Gate by mihadesign

The following information was written by the architects:


Gate

This house is for a couple and a girl and located at Shinjuku, in Tokyo.

Gate by mihadesign

The site is a long and thin rectangle shape of 4.5m width and 18m depth from south to north.

Gate by mihadesign

By the three bearing wall, the long and thin volume of two layers is divided into four in the direction of the short.

Gate by mihadesign

The bearing walls have some holes which residents, light and wind pass through.

Gate by mihadesign

In order to take in the sunlight as much as possible, the roof has zigzag form and has top light which delivers the light and wind to the ground floor.

Gate by mihadesign

Each spaces are lined up from the entrance in an order of the level of privacy: Public spaces such as living and dining and kitchen comes first, and then more private spaces such as restroom and bathrooms will appear deep in the house.

Gate by mihadesign

You can go to the first floor by going up the stairs at the living room, going through the hole of the wall, and watching the dining room underneath.

Gate by mihadesign

When you go back to the south via the corridor with closet and study space, you will arrive at the girl's space. When you go to the north, you will be at bedroom.

Gate by mihadesign

The design of the relationship between well and floor, wall and ceiling, and the shape of open ceiling space and windows had been adjusted so that people will feel inclined to go and see beyond the walls of this deep house.

Gate by mihadesign

Site: Sinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
Site area: 84.75㎡

Gate by mihadesign

Building area: 50.66 m2
Floor area ratio: 88.39 m2

Gate by mihadesign

Building height: 6700 mm
Design: April 2010 – September 2010

Gate by mihadesign

Beginning of construction: September 2010
Completion: December 2011

Gate by mihadesign

Design architect: mihadesign
Structure engineer: ejiri structure design office

Gate by mihadesign