House in Toguchi / Sakai Architects

House in Toguchi / Sakai Architects - Exterior PhotographyHouse in Toguchi / Sakai Architects - Interior Photography, Kitchen, Table, BeamHouse in Toguchi / Sakai Architects - Interior Photography, Stairs, Beam, HandrailHouse in Toguchi / Sakai Architects - Interior Photography, Windows, BeamHouse in Toguchi / Sakai Architects - More Images+ 27

Kagoshima, Japan
  • Landscape Designer: Tomohiro Urata
  • Light Designer: Katsuhiko Hanai
  • City: Kagoshima
  • Country: Japan
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House in Toguchi / Sakai Architects - Exterior Photography
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Text description provided by the architects. Designed for an emergency medicine physician and beautician couple with three children and a dog, the house with a small hair salon is  in a lush area overlooking the Pacific Ocean in the northern part of Amami Oshima Island. Although the part of the tropical island is not conveniently located, with only some vacation homes and guesthouses around, the couple chose the location for two reasons: One is to raise their children in nature; the other is to offer the client, who is engaged in the demanding job of an ER doctor, a refreshing moment to leave the hustle and bustle of the city and return to a nature-rich environment. The site, spanning over 1,000 m2, gradually slopes down seven meters from the mountain to the sea, and the house is laid out to minimize its interference with the landscape.

House in Toguchi / Sakai Architects - Interior Photography, Bench, Beam
© blitz studio
House in Toguchi / Sakai Architects - Image 29 of 32
Plan - Ground Floor
House in Toguchi / Sakai Architects - Interior Photography, Stairs, Beam
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The two-story residence occupies the northwest section of the plot toward the mountain, while the ocean side is covered with a terrace, which acts as a buffer between the inside and outside, and the hair salon is tucked between the two. Visitors access the house’s living room and the salon from the terrace instead of the front door. The unique circulation reflects the old custom that relatives and close friends used engawa as an entrance.

House in Toguchi / Sakai Architects - Exterior Photography, Facade, Beam
© blitz studio
House in Toguchi / Sakai Architects - Interior Photography, Kitchen, Beam
© blitz studio
House in Toguchi / Sakai Architects - Image 31 of 32
Section AA
House in Toguchi / Sakai Architects - Interior Photography, Bathroom, Toilet
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Inside the residential quarter, the first floor consists of the wet area and storage space on the mountainside and the living, dining, and kitchen on the ocean side. The second floor offers a private space with the master bedroom and children’s room. The upstairs wall facing the double-height dining is partially cut at 1,080 mm high, while the bedrooms are partitioned by a 2,000-mm-high closet, allowing the residents to feel each other’s presence wherever they are in the house. In addition, the salon is glazed at the top without disturbing a customer’s privacy. The three areas—the residence, beauty salon, and terrace—are loosely connected under a shed roof following the site’s slope.

House in Toguchi / Sakai Architects - Interior Photography, Stairs, Beam, Handrail
© blitz studio
House in Toguchi / Sakai Architects - Interior Photography
© blitz studio

The building’s framework is constructed of reinforced concrete to withstand typhoons. The roof is made of wood to reduce solar heat, and its lightness helped reduce the cost of improving the soft ground of a former farm field. Furthermore, the house is naturally well-ventilated throughout the year thanks to its location on a hill. It allows the family to live comfortably in the shade without using an air conditioner, even in mid-summer.

House in Toguchi / Sakai Architects - Interior Photography, Windows, Beam
© blitz studio
House in Toguchi / Sakai Architects - Interior Photography
© blitz studio

The windows, placed to frame commanding views of the sea and the mountains, are equipped with deep eaves to block harsh sunlight. The west façade is completely closed to protect the inside from the extreme western sun and ensure privacy from the road, but skylights are placed above the entrance and staircase to bring in necessary light. The house is designed as a restful space where the residents feel safe and protected while closely experiencing Amami Oshima’s abundant nature.

House in Toguchi / Sakai Architects - Interior Photography, Bench, Beam
© blitz studio

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Cite: "House in Toguchi / Sakai Architects" 18 Sep 2023. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1006911/house-in-toguchi-sakai-architects> ISSN 0719-8884

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Toguchi 之家 / Sakai Architects

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