Welcome to our gallery featuring the MONfactory House, a modern creation in Kyoto, Japan, by Eastern Design Office.

Located in Gojo, Kyoto, the home stands in a traditional residential area. The site faces the busy street on the West side. The backside of nearby high-rise buildings line up on the East side of the site. The neighboring houses sit closely to the South and North sides of the site. The entire home has been lifted 3 meters, allowing for parking space beneath. The intention was to bring the interior “closer to the sky.” Lines of port holes crisscross the home, perforating the monolithic exterior surface. These allow for dramatic beams of sunlight entering the spaces where the residents live and move.

The client is a craftsman who places crests on traditional Japanese clothing. Working from home, the workshop and living areas are separated but connected. This unique design, with a functional, industrial style, serves both purposes well. The home, as intended, is a striking oasis within its neighborhood, marrying soft natural touches within – natural wood especially – with the punctured concrete protective exterior. Light beams enter the home, interacting in a playful array, while granting private views to the surrounding environment.

The front entrance features a natural wood door seated in a glass frame, the only detail aside the port holes lining the entire facade. The raised architecture helps separate the home from closely surrounding buildings.

With a narrow drive running next to the home, the raised level allows for expansive, sheltered parking space beneath.

Close view of the port hole style design cutting through the exterior in a massive cross shape.

This aerial view highlights the close proximity of neighboring buildings, with the home standing out with its raised level and pair of private patio spaces fully open to the sky.

One of the two open air patios ensconced in the home, flanked by full height glass on both sides.

The patio stands between two living areas, with the open kitchen space seen through sliding glass at right. High walls keep the area secluded from public view.

In the large open kitchen space, we see light wood cabinetry and dining table set standing over dark natural hardwood flooring. Full height glass exterior on both ends opens toward the twin patios.

Close up of one of the port hole windows. With full locking bolt assembly, it gives the impression of windows on a boat.

Straight on view of the kitchen and dining area. Here we see the light natural wood tones of the cabinetry and kitchen island, plus the dining set, standing out amidst the concrete grey structure.

Lengthy contemporary sofa stands at left in the kitchen and dining space, adding a touch of living room comfort. More of the port holes can be seen down length of the hall at left.

Close view of the hole windows in the open position. Each hole lines up perfectly with the others.

Wood trunk holds shoes and other useful items in the hallway, beneath the port holes and lighting sconce with small plant in vase.

The open dining space features an array of light natural wood tables, with matching shelving running the length of the room, mounted to the concrete wall. Angled canister lights are seen above.

Here we have a view through an interior port hole to one of the outer, protective wall holes.

The layers of holes allow, as per the designer’s intent, a series of dramatic shafts of light entering the home throughout its length.

Viewing down the narrow hall extending from the kitchen, connecting the two sides of the home flanking the patio space, we see the repeating instances of holes throughout. Kitchen island in foreground features metallic countertops and minimalist cabinetry design.

Workshop space stands just inside the vertical strip of hole windows, with more natural wood shelving built into the concrete walls, above matching stools.

The staircase is a great example of the striking ways that the holes allow light to play in.

At the top of the wood rail stairs, we see sunlight beaming through, casting moving dots on the opposing walls.

Intersection within the home features floor to ceiling glass for views of the secluded patio space, highlighting the interplay of multiple crossing light hole paths.