近年ぽつぽつと空き家が目立つ日当りの良い住宅地。この場所を譲り受けた単身の施主は、3.11の後、誰かと共に住む事−ただし、高度の社交性を必要とせず、見守り機能を持ちながらも、一つの場所を緩やかに共有する自由な住み方—を希望した。
建蔽/容積をフルに使ったボリュームのインパクトを減らす為、また敷地が享受していた採光と風の抜けを生かすという希望、木造賃貸の上下の音の問題から、ほぼ縦割りで高さの異なる3つのスライス=3つの長屋に分節し、それらを南北にずらして配置した。ずれが隙と見え隠れを生み、プライバシーを守りながらも場を共有する気配が染み出るようにと考えた。
各スライスが順に他者によりかかる形で外部空間を持ち、屋上は相互の屋根に囲まれた落ち着きと開放性を併せ持っている。またスライス同士が支え合って浮かぶボリュームの下は、集いの場にもなるオープンスペースとし、風通しの良い軽やかな互助の場をつくろうと試みた。
After the big earthquake in Japan on March 3, 2011, the client inherited a sunny plot of land in a residential suburb of Tokyo, Japan. The destruction that was caused by the earthquake forced the client to spend a short period of time living in isolation and as a result, the client is now intent on designing, for the purpose of a peaceful life, a residential apartment for himself and his tenants. Being a typically shy Japanese man, the owner wants the apartments to have privacy, yet at the same time, wants to also promote sociable exchanges between the tenants.
The owner wishes to maximize the apartments buildable volume according to the law and building codes, taking advantage of the surrounding sunlight and airflow, whilst at the same time trying to reduce vertical noise. Such as footsteps that could be heard coming from above and below, which is a usual a problem with wooden structure. In order to do so, the apartments are divided into three different units, spreading out vertically and horizontally at different heights in-order to reduce the feeling of structural oppression, ensure noise reduction and privacy.
These three apartment units are offset, turning the apartments into a series of ascending terraces from north to south in order to enhance openness and to minimize the volume effects of sound throughout the apartments. On all three of the terraces, the apartments have mountain-like roof structures with a large window, thereby providing both the privacy and openness for the residents. While at the same time, the residents receive the surrounded effect of being between the mountain-like roof structures.
The middle section, which is also the owner’s room, spans across the second level with an opening underneath it, which is supported on both sides by the other apartments, keeping the owner’s room suspended in mid-air. The open-area beneath the owner’s room can be used for gatherings by the apartments “live in” residents and other nearby residents.