Architecture: aoyagi design
Design team: Hajime Aoyagi, Ayaka Aoyagi
Structural engineers: Hf Architectural Design-Hiroshi Fukuyama
Location: Saitama Japan
Completion: 2016
Photography: Takumi Ota

This is a close look at the north elevation of the house featuring a large and tall A-frame roof, gray walls and glass windows.

This side view of the house exterior showcases more of the tall A-frame roof that also has a gray tone to match the exterior walls.

This is a view of the interiors showing the inside of the tall roof as a soaring cathedral ceiling with a wooden shiplap tone.

This is a look at the simple dining area with a black dining set that stands out against the bright walls that are brightened by the abundant natural lighting.

This is a closer look at the glass walls that bring in natural lighting. Above this is a wooden walkway of the second level with railings.

This is a closer look at the modern staircase that has floating wooden steps and wrought iron railings.

This is a close look at the second level of the house with a tall wooden shiplap cathedral ceiling that matches the flooring.

This is the far end of the second level with a set of glass walls and doors that bring in natural lighting for the area.

This is a closer look at the second-level landing and indoor balcony with wrought iron railings.

This is another look at the second-level landing showcasing the walkways on both sides of the staircase topped with a tall wooden cathedral ceiling.

The wooden shiplap cathedral ceiling is supported by a couple of exposed wooden beams and makes the wiring of the pendant lights stand out.

This is another look at the tall wooden shiplap cathedral ceiling with dark gray wooden support beams that match the railings of the indoor balcony.

This is the other end of the large second level area with a long built-in desk for the home office brightened by the windows above.

This is the wooden structure divider of the second level with a unique sliding door that follows the shape of the cathedral ceiling.

This is a nighttime view of the exterior of the house featuring the large glass walls that give a glimpse of the interiors with warm lighting.

This is an illustrative representation of the floor plan of the house for the first and second levels.

This is an illustration of the cross section elevation of the house featuring the sections of the house.

Hajime Aoyagi

2006 – Graduated from master course of Tokyo University of the arts
2006 – Nikken
2010 – aoyagi design

Ayaka Aoyagi

2006 – Graduated from maseter course of Tsukuba university
2010 – aoyagi design

The site is in a residential area in the suburbs, and the house is for a couple and their child.

The composition is that of an introspective triangular attic space sitting on an open first floor of wooden and steel construction.

The triangular prism is formed by a truss of CLT panels. The 90 mm panel thickness, though a response to exterior wind pressure, is not only structurally functional but also gives beauty. The rich texture of the wood makes it unnecessary to install further interior finishes. The structure also eliminates the need for insulation due to the considerable thickness of the panels.

Compared to the first floor which contains all the functions for daily life the attic has no fixed purpose. It also has a different sense of scale, with a ceiling height of 7 meters. The smooth surfaces conceal the structure and emphasize the triangular form.

Another point of contrast is light and shadow. The first floor is bathed in natural light, while the 7-meter high attic space is engulfed in shadow. Through the atrium, the attic’s darkness extends to the 1st floor, intermingling with its natural light. This merging of light and shadow expands the space and blurs the boundaries of the quality of attic vs living.