Ushiku House

Ushiku House

1. November 2015

Ushiku House
2011
Ibaraki

Architects
Yashima Architect and Associates

Design Principal
Masatoshi Yashima, Yuko Yashima

Project Team
Nozomi Oda

Structural Engineer
Kazuaki Yashima/Yashima Architect and Associates

Contractor
Gunji Construction Co., Ltd.

Kitchen Furniture Manufacturing
Rinnai

Toilet
TOTO

Bath
TOTO

Hardware
BEST

Lighting Fixture
Louis Poulsen, etc.

Site Area
305.01 ㎡

Building Area
198.02 ㎡

Total Floor Area
199.78 ㎡

Photo
Koichi Torimura

South-facing shoji screens viewed from the dining area
Wooden screens soften strong light from the south

Please give us an overview of the project.

Under the large shed roof that covers this home, spaces for gathering and spaces for privacy are loosely linked in a floor plan with unbroken circulation. Rooms progress inward from the south side in order of their need for natural light. These differences in light, together with variations in material and floor and ceiling height, gradually shift the atmosphere of the living spaces so that they are linked but do not interfere excessively with one another.  

Light pours into the open main room 
Looking down on the living area from the split-level hallway and workspace

What was most important for you during the design process?

We began by carrying out an on-the-ground assessment and analysis of the environment surrounding the lot. It’s located in a quiet residential neighborhood very close to a park, but the surroundings are not entirely pleasant, so questions such as where to locate the parking space and how to deal with windows in areas lacking a good view guided the sectional composition. While we handled the relationship with the surrounding area, the height of sight lines, and the scope of views very carefully, our first priority was to create a structure that in itself selectively blocked out undesirable views. 

Living room seen from the entryway, which has a double-height ceiling
The family workspace connects to the living room, but has a peaceful atmosphere due to being partially enclosed 
The back hallway between the kitchen and dining room is not so much hidden as intended to offer a route that guests don’t notice. 
The ceiling above the dining-area windows falls to 2100 mm. When the paper and wooden screens are open, sunlight reflects off the deep eaves into the room. 

What challenges did you face in the project? How did you respond to them?

Because the site is south-facing, we considered our strategy for bringing in natural light and views of surrounding greenery quite extensively. We wanted to include large openings on the south side to bring in lots of light, but we had to include sliding glass doors and paper, metal and wooden screens to modulate the sunlight and ventilation. To protect the wooden portions of these fixtures, we extended the eaves 1550 mm. Under the large roof, a single room encompases all areas aside from the bedrooms and bathrooms. Light pours in from skylights in the center and north sections of the roof, creating a rhythm that naturally makes inhabitants aware of the overall structure of the building. The design of these openings and the areas surrounding them are the keystone of this home. 

Morning light pours into the north bedroom from a skylight. The busy couple’s office is visible to the left.
When viewed from the south, the horizontal line of the eaves makes a strong impression. 

What did you learn from this project? What will you take from it to future projects?

The client is a local, and through the design process, we kept an image in our minds of nearby family, friends, and other guests gathering at the home. We tried to create a space that would easily become part of the community. The project reaffirmed for us the importance of thinking very deeply about how the customs and behaviors important to Japanese culture can be incorporated into residential spaces, and how materials and designs suited to the local climate should be handled within the context of contemporary lifestyles. 

First floor plan 
Basement floor plan 
Section 


E-mail interview by Yuna Yagi (translated from Japanese by Winifred Bird)  

Ushiku House
2011
Ibaraki

Architects
Yashima Architect and Associates

Design Principal
Masatoshi Yashima, Yuko Yashima

Project Team
Nozomi Oda

Structural Engineer
Kazuaki Yashima/Yashima Architect and Associates

Contractor
Gunji Construction Co., Ltd.

Kitchen Furniture Manufacturing
Rinnai

Toilet
TOTO

Bath
TOTO

Hardware
BEST

Lighting Fixture
Louis Poulsen, etc.

Site Area
305.01 ㎡

Building Area
198.02 ㎡

Total Floor Area
199.78 ㎡

Photo
Koichi Torimura

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