Three-tiered Platforms by IHRMK

ByJon Dykstra Houses

This photograph presents an exterior view of the front facade of the house, showcasing the architectural design and details of the structure's exterior.

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Studio: IHRMK
Client: Private
Year: 2017
Type: Private House
Location: Nisshin, Aichi, Japan
Collaborators:
Structural Engineer: Hirotoshi Komatsu
Builder: Marumori Mokuzai
Status: Completed
Photographer: CHIBA Kenya
Publications:
Jutakutokushu 2018:05
ArchDaily
Designboom
OPUMO

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Award:
Fantastic Kitchen Competition 2018

The scene depicts a residence situated atop a verdant hillside, captured from an aerial perspective.
The scene depicts a residence situated atop a verdant hillside, captured from an aerial perspective.
The image captures a specific section of the front facade of a building, as seen from an exterior perspective.
The image captures a specific section of the front facade of a building, as seen from an exterior perspective.
This image provides a glimpse of the interior design of a building, as captured from an external perspective.
This image provides a glimpse of the interior design of a building, as captured from an external perspective.
This photograph captures a unique perspective of the interior design of a building, with a focus on the staircase, as seen from an external viewpoint.
This photograph captures a unique perspective of the interior design of a building, with a focus on the staircase, as seen from an external viewpoint.
This image showcases a kitchen counter situated at street level, and a landing area leading up to the second floor via a set of stairs.
This image showcases a kitchen counter situated at street level, and a landing area leading up to the second floor via a set of stairs.
This photograph presents a perspective of the floor same level as the road, as viewed from an exterior deck.
This photograph presents a perspective of the floor same level as the road, as viewed from an exterior deck.
This interior photograph showcases the design of a floor area that is level with the road, offering a unique perspective of the interior space.
This interior photograph showcases the design of a floor area that is level with the road, offering a unique perspective of the interior space.
This photograph depicts the interior design of a floor level captured from an alternative perspective, showcasing the details of the space at ground level.
This photograph depicts the interior design of a floor level captured from an alternative perspective, showcasing the details of the space at ground level.
This photograph features a detailed view of a kitchen counter located at street level, as well as a nearby landing area that provides access to the second floor via a set of stairs.
This photograph features a detailed view of a kitchen counter located at street level, as well as a nearby landing area that provides access to the second floor via a set of stairs.
This photograph presents an interior view of the upper floor, highlighting the design features and aesthetic elements of the space.
This photograph presents an interior view of the upper floor, highlighting the design features and aesthetic elements of the space.
This photograph is an interior shot of a spacious room with an unoccupied layout, providing a partial view of an open bedroom with its doorway visible.
This photograph is an interior shot of a spacious room with an unoccupied layout, providing a partial view of an open bedroom with its doorway visible.

The site is located on the hillside of a small mountain overlooking the city. It is bound by two roads on the east and west side with a level difference of 16m between the two sides. In this area, from the east which is the higher part of the mountain to the west, are a retaining wall and a front road, followed by a slope covered with trees, another retaining wall and a road at the foot of it.

When observing the houses built on this mountain, I noticed that there were generally two types of building methods. One was to provide artificial soil and build a typical house on top of it, and the other was to build a basement level by digging the slope. Both are convincing methods to deal with the slope, but I wanted to propose a way of living where one can feel closer to the slope and the trees that grow in the area.

For this reason, I decided to design the “House on a Tiered Foundation” which has a sectional form of a tiered doll stand for Hina dolls that follows the sloped surface and a foundation shallow enough so as not to disturb the flow of the subsoil water. This tiered foundation is composed of three steps that step down 80cm each following the surface of the slope from east to west.

The second floor which has much of its functions including bathrooms projects out 1.8m each on both the east and west side and functions as an intermediate space that ties the indoor and outdoor together. The highest step on the east side acts as a buffer space between the house and the road, and also becomes an entrance porch and a porte cochere.

In addition, this step is extended 90cm inward towards the house to provide a kitchen counter at the same level as the road, study desk for children and a landing for the stairs leading up to the second floor. By offering this step and direction for living, I wanted to create an apt relationship where glances from neighbors walking on the front road will not be confronted nor shut out.

The step on the west side acts as a terrace that cantilevers out as if to dive into the trees, creating a place where one can feel pleasant sunlight and breeze coming through the trees. Facing the intermediate space, wooden fittings that can be drawn into the walls were installed. On the east side is a 3.6m by 2.2m opening and on the west side is a 5.4m by 3.0m opening.

The “House on a Tiered Foundation” where the interior, intermediate space, tiered steps, slope and trees are combined as a whole by steps, pilotis and wooden fittings, becomes a topography rather than a residence, and the residents will live in this terrain.

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Jon Dykstra
Jon Dykstra

Jon practiced law before launching his online publishing career, bringing analytical rigor to everything he builds. Home Stratosphere combines that precision with a lifelong obsession with residential design — architecture, interiors, landscape, and furniture.

His current focus is AI-driven design analysis, using artificial intelligence to study patterns in color, layout, and material choice across thousands of homes. His Personality Type Home Design Guide applies personality frameworks to interior aesthetics, helping readers design spaces that reflect how they actually think and live.

His favorite piece on the site is the 25 Most Popular Designs, is a daily-updated ranking of the top designs over the last 30 days, driven entirely by visitor activity. The feedback is invaluable for understanding what resonates most with readers. LinkedIn

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