The upper storey of this residence in Kanagawa is supported by timber beams that extend from the outer walls in direction of an atrium that connects the two levels .

House in Kita-Kamakura by Snark and Ouvi

The property was designed for illustrator Jun Oson and is situated in Kita-Kamakura, a residential neighbourhood in the Kanagawa prefecture to the south of central Tokyo.

House in Kita-Kamakura by Snark and Ouvi

It was created by Japanese studios Ouvi and Snark. Snark has previously produced a mixed barber store and apartment with exposed wooden ceiling beams, as nicely as a bakery with make presented alongside wooden surfaces, tiles and plants.

House in Kita-Kamakura by Snark and Ouvi

Oson’s primary necessity from the house was for it to include a studio the place he could function on the playful drawings he creates for personal exhibitions, animations, T-shirt patterns and numerous print and on the internet media.

House in Kita-Kamakura by Snark and Ouvi

From its website on a hillside, the house appears out more than the rooftops of the surrounding buildings in direction of the Tanzawa mountains and the commuter town of Ofuna to the north.


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The creating features cantilevered eaves intended to evoke the classic temples found throughout the region. The eaves are supported by thick beams that lengthen into and across the residing location on the ground floor.

House in Kita-Kamakura by Snark and Ouvi

“The joists connect the external to the inner, even though also blocking the line of sight from the adjacent plot,” explained Sunao Koase of Snark.

House in Kita-Kamakura by Snark and Ouvi

The beams that project from inside to outdoors and the in depth glazing integrated into the facades are intended to create the sense of the building reaching out and merging with its surroundings.

House in Kita-Kamakura by Snark and Ouvi

“Numerous of the buildings that develop the surrounding skyline appear to task spaces that shield folks from the external environment,” stated Koase. “Rather we must foster an environment exactly where we become a part of our surrounding spot, and provide a means for residents to create their very own excellent living space at property.”

House in Kita-Kamakura by Snark and Ouvi

Within the constructing, the hefty joists help an array of smaller beams positioned at 455 millimetre intervals. These develop a ribbed framework surrounding the void at the centre of the property.

House in Kita-Kamakura by Snark and Ouvi

Windows around the atrium fill the interior with natural light and frame views of Mount Fuji in the distance. The opening also produces a visual connection among the living, dining and kitchen region on the ground floor and the a lot more private spaces above.

A steel staircase with wooden treads ascends to the upper storey, where a big landing provides a casual seating location. A window set into an angled segment of the external wall opens onto a terrace that extends along the edge of the constructing.

House in Kita-Kamakura by Snark and Ouvi

Walls lining the mezzanine function pegboard-design storage that allows the proprietor to hang artworks and other items. Some of the pegboard panels are mounted on a track so they can perform as sliding doors.

House in Kita-Kamakura by Snark and Ouvi

1 corner of the upper storey accommodates the owner’s studio, which is lined with developed-in shelving. A bedroom and stroll-in closet are also accommodated on this level.

House in Kita-Kamakura by Snark and Ouvi

Previous residential projects developed by Snark and Ouvi include a 6-metre-broad residence slotted among two buildings and a home with angled walls covered in bronze-coloured metal cladding.

Photography is by Ippei Shinzawa.

House in Kita-Kamakura by Snark and OuviGround floor program House in Kita-Kamakura by Snark and Ouvi1st floor strategy House in Kita-Kamakura by Snark and OuviSection Dezeen

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