BRANCH HOUSE
KINO Architects
ARCHITECTS
KINO Architects
PHOTOGRAPHS
Daici Ano
YEAR
2010
LOCATION
Fukushima, Japan
CATEGORY
Houses
Text description provided by architect.
This house is in a residential area of Fukushima prefecture. In this location there are many areas of vacant land and parking lots.
The house is for a four person family; a married couple with two children.
In this design, the living and dining rooms, where the family gathers, branch off to the main bedroom, children’s room, kitchen, bath room and guest room. Each room has its own loft space. These lofts supplement the function of the rooms.
The parent’s possessions are stored in the loft of the main bedroom, bathroom supplies are in the loft of the bathroom and guest bedding is stored in the loft of the guest room. The children’s loft provides a play area.
To put the rooms branching off in this way gives good lighting and ventilation and a moderate distance between rooms.
The four branches also become a core of power to resist earthquakes. Internally the site is divided into four gardens.
These gardens can change in function in the future to include, for example, a BBQ garden, and a pool garden.
The house was designed not only for use now, but also to expand with the family as their lifestyle changes.
