SATOSHI OKADA
ARCHITECTS

Automobiles approach the villa from the northside into the garage, which is directly connected to the main entrance. Both are hidden beneath the ridge surface; from the dim space, a glazed short bridge leads to the entirely transparent living space exposed on the sloping terrain.

Inspired by a bird’s wing extended to shelter its chicks in the nest, the upper floor, built of steel structure, is covered by a single roof gently curved down towards the ground. This roof was constructed in three phases. First, to design the roof itself, a tapering plate was bent two-dimensionally. Then, a 1/5 gradient was imposed to comply with local regulations and measured proportionally for the lower structure. Finally, the thin roof - merely 15 cm thick - was constructed with prefabricated corten steel panels welded together with watertight welding, a shipbuilding technology.

The lower level is built of reinforced concrete, half hidden underground, to serve as the private areas of the villa: the bedrooms, bathrooms, laundry room, workshop and tatami room. The planimetric, spindle shape is inspired by the contour lines of the terrain, ensuring stability of the retaining wall against the mountain. The interior space is finished by painted white ceilings , dark gray plastered walls, bright timber floorings, and furnished with delicately crafted wooden fittings.