Clover House / Toru Kudo + architecture WORKSHOP

Architects: Toru Kudo + architecture WORKSHOP
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Design Team: Toru Kudo, KohKitayama, Yukiko Yamamoto
Project Year: 2010
Photographs: Daici Ano

Project Area: 671.13 sqm
Structural Engineer: EJIRI Structural Engineers
Mechanical Engineer: Sou Consultants

This is a housing complex that consists of two owner-occupied units and seven leased units. An unusual residential district in a metropolitan area, there are no buildings adjacent to the island-like site. The architecture here was conceived as a freestanding object with a standard leasing plan, and an exterior shape defined by daylight and setback regulations.

While open toward the surroundings, off-the-shelf perforated folded sheets were used as a screen over the whole facade to mediate the residential spaces, making a moderately closed, protective residence. While containing residences through which soft light passes, it retains the impression of a simple exterior: architecture as scenery. The name “clover house” was chosen due to the plan being divided into three towers.