Nishinoyama House

Instead of covering the entire complex with one large roof, we chose to design twenty-one separate roofs of similar sizes as those of the surrounding buildings. We covered each room, as opposed to each unit, with independent roofs to create a mixed cluster that amount to a large connected roof for the entire complex.

Each unit is around fifty-five to one hundred square meters in size and consists of three to four rooms with either a loft or a basement. Out of the three roofs, which each unit has, one is shared with another unit. This creates an assortment of unique floor-plans that are connected by a large roof – a concept that is distinctly different from a community of single-family homes. Each space is positioned on different levelsaccording to the site elevation. The diverse gradient, direction, and height of the roofs make a variety of conditions to open and illuminate the different spaces.

The complex is an ambiguous and unpredictable amalgamation of public and private or indoor and outdoor. As if one is walking through an entangled space, one would come across a living room in a corner with a bathroom sunbathing in the other; or past an alleyway or a shaded deck leads one to a neighboring courtyard or another’s backyard, or end up in the common courtyard that appears between a couple of roofs.

The spatial composition that reveals various characteristics makes this complex fun and exciting. Instead of containing this spirit within the complex, we hope that it will emanate to the surrounding creating an unique environment and a harmonious scenery.