ARK House in Mitaka, Tokyo by Apollo Architects & Associates

Article source: Apollo Architects & Associates

The site is located in a quiet residential area of Tokyo. The client is a couple who both work at a university. Uponplanning the residence, their request was to keep two independent and equal private dens, and to provide an open living environment while maintaining their privacy.A courtyard and a front yard are placed on the south and the north and spaces are located symmetrically. Our intention is to provide a living environment where one can feel the air outside from everywhere in the house such as private room or living and dining room.

Image Courtesy © Satoshi Kurosaki/APOLLO Architects & Associates

• Architects: Satoshi Kurosaki/APOLLO Architects & Associates
• Project: ARK House
• Location: Mitaka, Tokyo
• Structural Engineer: Masaki Structure (Kenta Masaki)
• Mechanical Engineer: Naoki Matsumoto
• Structure: Timber
• Site Area: 133.07m2
• Total Floor Area: 102.66 m2 (52.42 m2/1F, 50.24m2/2F)
• Design Period: January 2013 – July2013
• Construction Period: November 2013 – May 2015

Image Courtesy © Satoshi Kurosaki/APOLLO Architects & Associates

The box-shaped volume on the second floor sticks out towards the street. The front yard is enclosed by this overhanging volume, and becomes a garden for the living and dining room. The louver boards made of the hot-dip galvanizing with zinc phosphate coat protect the interior space from the eyes of passers-by on the front street. The couple’s dens and the children’s rooms are placed in the back of the first and the second floor, and the built-in furniture is provided along the wall, utilizing the narrow and long gap. This makes it possible to view the Griffith’s ash planted on the courtyard from all the rooms. Each room is filled with soft light from the courtyard, and family members can feel each other’s presence while concentrating on their works or studies.

Image Courtesy © Satoshi Kurosaki/APOLLO Architects & Associates

Image Courtesy © Satoshi Kurosaki/APOLLO Architects & Associates

The living and dining room, and the kitchen are placed on the second floor with high ceiling. It is covered with a gable roof with the exposed doubled SPF rafters creating a bold rhythm and delicate shading at the same time. Also, the built-in furniture, the kitchen, and the staircase are gatheredon both sides, and purposely planned symmetry. This creates a distinct formality like a church. There is an access to the roof from the children’s room. The name “ARK” comes from the form of the building associated with “Noa’s ark.”

Image Courtesy © Satoshi Kurosaki/APOLLO Architects & Associates

Image Courtesy © Satoshi Kurosaki/APOLLO Architects & Associates

Image Courtesy © Satoshi Kurosaki/APOLLO Architects & Associates

Image Courtesy © Satoshi Kurosaki/APOLLO Architects & Associates

Image Courtesy © Satoshi Kurosaki/APOLLO Architects & Associates

Image Courtesy © Satoshi Kurosaki/APOLLO Architects & Associates

Image Courtesy © Satoshi Kurosaki/APOLLO Architects & Associates

Image Courtesy © Satoshi Kurosaki/APOLLO Architects & Associates

Image Courtesy © Satoshi Kurosaki/APOLLO Architects & Associates

Image Courtesy © Satoshi Kurosaki/APOLLO Architects & Associates

Image Courtesy © Satoshi Kurosaki/APOLLO Architects & Associates

Tags: Mitaka, Tokyo

Category: House

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