Japan Houses by Marcia Iwatate & Geeta K. Mehta

Author:Marcia Iwatate & Geeta K. Mehta
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
ISBN: 978-1-4629-0594-2
Publisher: Tuttle Publishing

The façade of the Roundscape House faces the train tracks of Japan Railways and Setonaikai Bay in the distance. In contrast to the adjoining house lots where the sloping ground facing the tracks has been filled in, this house has been cantilevered over the slope. Exposed concrete was selected for the exterior in response to the harsh, salty air from the ocean.

The owners of this house wanted a design that was minimalistic, but at the same time spiritually uplifting. In conjunction with the architect, they also decided that the various spaces of the house should not be separated from each other by hard walls, but instead be defined by the use of split floor levels, the size of the windows, and the height of the ceilings. The result is a delightful house that exudes a sense of harmoniously expansive space.

Located on a bluff above railroad tracks, the house overlooks a good view of Setonaikai Bay and Miyajima Island in the distance. Due to the harsh climatic conditions of the area, concrete was selected for the exterior of the house because of its corrosion-resistant qualities. Although widely used by architects since the middle of the last century, the artistic possibilities of concrete are seldom exploited for single-family homes. Here, however, the concrete has been poured into a sculpturesque shell that wraps around the various spaces of the house. Another innovation is the departure from the usual gray of the exposed concrete. This has been achieved by the application of a rust color stain to the concrete, making it far more inviting.

The various spaces in this house have been arranged in a sequence that starts from the relatively public spaces and leads to those that are more private. The entrance area, which comprises a piano studio and living room, is a light and active space. Walls set at different angles enhance the acoustical quality of the room. The level of privacy increases as one goes up half a level to the dining and kitchen area. A half flight of steps from here leads down to the master bedroom and the bathroom, while the other half flight of steps leads up to the second bedroom, the quietest part of the house.

The architect also believes in working with the natural environment of a site rather than protecting a house from it. His philosophy is exhibited here in the natural system of air circulation. Breezes coming in from the bay set up convection currents that flow through the whole house, escaping from the light and ventilation well in front of the second-floor bedroom, which also serves as a small terrace.

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