SATOSHI OKADA
ARCHITECTS

The trapezoidal site sits at the edge of a tier facing east, 6 meters above the main street on its north. The exterior walls are set back from one to another, creating a geometric design. The view from the street corner should not be oppressive to human eyes; the moderately-curved walls are prepared with a crack-free primer, followed by a finish of urethane resin paint on the mortar plasterboard. In contrast, the interior walls are finished with diatomaceous earth plasterwork.

The house is composed of four stories. The plan houses the main entrance, storage, and garage at the basement floor connected to the sloping path towards the east. The double-height entrance hall on the ground floor is narrow and tall, leading towards the bedroom with a large terrace and music room, illuminated with multiple skylights. The first floor also houses the Mother’s room, a small living room through a balcony on the east, and a bedroom with a westward balcony. The top floor, as well as the living room, dining room, and kitchen have a panoramic ocean view to the southeast. The entire roof area above the staircase also includes a large skylight which brightens the first floor with abundant sunlight.

Grid skeletons of laminated timbers structure the timber construction of the three-dimensional, curved walls, to which 9 mm laminated timber panels are attached from both sides. In collaboration with structural designer Hirokazu Toki, the design is an experiment in our academic research to invent new methods for wooden structures and expand the design possibilities of timber construction.