Planter House / no.555

Planter House / no.555 - Windows, FacadePlanter House / no.555 - Stairs, FacadePlanter House / no.555 - Image 21 of 30Planter House / no.555 - WindowsPlanter House / no.555 - More Images+ 25

Yokohama-shi, Japan
  • Architects: No.555
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  188
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2012
Planter House / no.555 - Image 2 of 30
Courtesy of no.555

Text description provided by the architects. The project NDA (PLANTER) is located on top of a steep slope in "Yamate Bluff", Yokohama, Japan. This area offers panoramic views over the city and the Mount Fuji. In the vicinity there is a small but beautiful park that has many preserved houses and is popular among tourists. 

Planter House / no.555 - Facade
Courtesy of no.555

Since I believe that building design should respect and challenge the potential of an area and the direct environment, the NDA project is deeply connected to the "Yamate Bluff Load" characteristics. 

Planter House / no.555 - Glass, Handrail
Courtesy of no.555

The "Yamate Bluff Load" is an area featuring many retaining walls. The texture and the facades' overall appearance is inspired by this particularity. 

Planter House / no.555 - Handrail
Courtesy of no.555

Reducing the standard size of the concrete panels affected the amount of mortar joints, thus creating a somehow more busy pattern. Another intention was to accentuate the "handmade feel" with a rich variety of concrete hues and a random layout of the concrete panels. 

Planter House / no.555 - Beam
Courtesy of no.555

Several plywood colors were used for the molds in order to "transfer" the diversity of the hues onto the concrete panels. This technique could be considered as a natural counterpart of the application of lye.

Planter House / no.555 - Windows
Courtesy of no.555

In addition the project's goal was to combine the conflicting client's requests : offering large openings to enjoy the magnificent views, while having some privacy from neighbours. The building is a wrapped cube where the only necessary voids are cut off to allow light and air to flow inside.A sense of openness is given thanks to the big outdoor terraces. The building itself is almost like a planter. . .  The layout of the openings follows a vertical and horizontal imaginary grid. The cutouts of the facade welcome "plants gardens" on each floor. 

Planter House / no.555 - Image 30 of 30
Courtesy of no.555

Time alters things, seasons weather stones. Architecture is a part of that natural process. Nevertheless I am convinced that architecture can survive for a long time and co-exist with the surrounding environment. 

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Project location

Address:Yokohama Japan

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Planter House / no.555" 28 Nov 2012. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/298770/planter-house-no-555> ISSN 0719-8884

Courtesy of no.555

种植园主住宅 / no.555

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