m house by takeshi hirobe architects

'm house' by takeshi hirobe architects in tokyo, japan
all images courtesy takeshi hirobe architects
image © koichi torimura

japanese practice takeshi hirobe architects has sent us images of 'm-house', a three-storey house
in a busy neighbourhood of tokyo, japan. abiding by the strict building regulation of the site,
the design aims to connect the interior with the exterior while maintaining privacy for the inhabitants. 



interior view
image © koichi torimura

during the early stages of the designing process, an octagonal staircase was inserted into
the floor plan as a major structural pillar to the house. constructed with reinforced concrete,
the spiral stairwell is topped with a roof light which allows is to double-function as a lightwell. 
the interior surfaces are also finished in white to maximize the natural daylighting effect, 
bringing it all the way down to the basement. round holes of various sizes are randomly 
perforated on the sides of the shell to establish internal visual connections to each floor. 


living room
image © koichi torimura

to further introduce the outdoors to the living space, multiple volumetric voids are carved out 
as outdoor terraces from the corners of the layout. the exterior shell of the house wraps around 
these spaces, acting as a fence-like barrier from the street. all storeys of the house remains 
open and flexible, generating living spaces that are flexible yet private when needed. 



views of stairwell
images © koichi torimura



translucent steps
image © koichi torimura



image © koichi torimura



octagonal shell encasing the stairwell
image © koichi torimura



built-in seating
image © koichi torimura



(left) entry
(right) stairwell at night
images © koichi torimura



interior night view 
image © koichi torimura



floor plan / level -1



floor plan / level 0



floor plan / level +1



floor plan / level +2



section


project info:

site area: 112.40 m2
built area: 63.53 m2
total floor area: 251.78 m2
structure: reinforced concrete
structural consultant: s.form

via designboom