construc-tion methods. Each frame comprises one long wall and a roof at a different height. The two opposing L shapes have been arranged in such a way that the vertical space between their rooflines has been left open to allow breezes and rain to come into the semi-enclosed areas of the house “without any archi-tectural filters.” One of the frames accommodates the living, dining, and kitchen wing, while the bedrooms are located in the other wing. Three open decks are included in the design for the enjoyment of the beautiful surroundings. The deck outside the living room looks out to the mountainside, while the one outside the audio room on the second floor has a view of the ocean. The third deck, located outside the bathroom, is fitted with showers for use after surfing.
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Shima House 127 Opposite: Japan is known for its simple but meticu- Japan is known for its simple but meticu-lous craftsmanship in wooden buildings. These lous craftsmanship in wooden buildings. These tradi-tions have been combined in the deck area between tions have been combined in the deck area between the living and bedroom wings with a modern and the living and bedroom wings with a modern and playful concept of space and contemporary playful concept of space and contemporary materi-als such as steel posts. The space between the two als such as steel posts. The space between the two overlapping roofs has been left open to the elements overlapping roofs has been left open to the elements to heighten the sensation of living with nature.
to heighten the sensation of living with nature.
Left: The audio room on the second floor is reached The audio room on the second floor is reached by a narrow staircase built into
by a narrow staircase built into the side of the the side of the kitchen wall for stability. The staircase resembles the kitchen wall for stability. The staircase resembles the traditional Japanese
traditional Japanese kaidan dansukaidan dansu or staircase chest or staircase chest with storage built into it. The studio, defined by bold with storage built into it. The studio, defined by bold wooden beams and a glass railing, is a wooden beams and a glass railing, is a comfort-able hideaway for the man of the house to enjoy his able hideaway for the man of the house to enjoy his hobby: listening to ska and other music.
hobby: listening to ska and other music.
Below: The four elevations show the simple organi- The four elevations show the simple organi-zation of the house. Its location on top of a slope zation of the house. Its location on top of a slope allows for spectacular views, an asset which has allows for spectacular views, an asset which has been exploited in the open design of the house.
been exploited in the open design of the house.
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128 Japan Houses
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Shima House 129 Opposite above right: The deck between the two The deck between the two
wings and the staircase leading to the second floor wings and the staircase leading to the second floor are visible through the glass wall of the living room.
are visible through the glass wall of the living room.
Slender steel supports for the roof are playfully Slender steel supports for the roof are playfully placed in the middle of the staircase treads.
placed in the middle of the staircase treads.
Above: The clients’ foremost requirement was that The clients’ foremost requirement was that the house be designed for enjoyment of the the house be designed for enjoyment of the beauti-ful natural environment surrounding the hilly lot. The ful natural environment surrounding the hilly lot. The architect thus created a house with as few barriers as architect thus created a house with as few barriers as possible to the ocean and mountain views: tall glass possible to the ocean and mountain views: tall glass walls in the living and dining room, semi-open spaces walls in the living and dining room, semi-open spaces under the overlapping roof, and three decks. Two under the overlapping roof, and three decks. Two bold, inverted L-shaped wooden frames, bold, inverted L-shaped wooden frames, compris-ing the exterior walls and roof segments, define the ing the exterior walls and roof segments, define the house. Cedar wood has been used for the frame and house. Cedar wood has been used for the frame and deck flooring. Other than the warm hues of the wood, deck flooring. Other than the warm hues of the wood, only black and white have been used in the interior.
only black and white have been used in the interior.
Opposite above left: The open-plan galley kitchen, The open-plan galley kitchen, designed for frequent entertaining, is well equipped designed for frequent entertaining, is well equipped with all the necessary appliances. The yard behind with all the necessary appliances. The yard behind the kitchen opens out to the views and the breezes the kitchen opens out to the views and the breezes from the ocean. The bedroom wing is accessed via from the ocean. The bedroom wing is accessed via the deck glimpsed through the doorway.
the deck glimpsed through the doorway.
Opposite below: The plans show the articulation The plans show the articulation of the house into two wings. The wing on the right of the house into two wings. The wing on the right accommodates the living, dining, kitchen, and audio accommodates the living, dining, kitchen, and audio rooms, while the one on the left has three bedrooms rooms, while the one on the left has three bedrooms and a shared bathroom. The room for the father of and a shared bathroom. The room for the father of the husband is at the front end of this wing, while the the husband is at the front end of this wing, while the master bedroom is at the opposite end. A Japanese master bedroom is at the opposite end. A Japanese room has been included near the father’s bedroom.
room has been included near the father’s bedroom.
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