Photographer: Toshiyuki Yano
Overhead Landscape / Space which induces phenomenon
The construction site is in the corner of an exclusive residential quarter where has a panoramic view of Hiroshima city. It is a renovation project for a 20 years old house to get remodeled into an RC structure luxury house with 2 above-ground floors and 1 basement.
The construction work is implemented in tow stages. This time was the first stage to renovate a half of the total floor area of 495㎡ with the ground floor and the basement floor.
In consideration of a structural balance, the building frames had to be remained.
The planning solution of what it could be done on that basis was found to think it to be skeleton. A main subject of this plan was how to work out negative elements such as low beams, a popped out passageway, different height of ceilings and so on.
We titled the problem “Overhead Landscape” and tried it transferring into elements that induce a spatial phenomenon. Various colors, mirrors and lightings are installed so as to put unevenness parts to good use. Low beams gently divide spaces, a wrapped box the connecting passageway on the upper floor hided resonates with light, and a mirror placed in a hollow ceiling creates unlimited depth of space. A former plan separated into small spaces turned to a big connected space. Clear glasses and walls are divided by such as fringe curtains, etc. and it produces space continuity. To make dark space bright, using high reflection materials bring light to the inner of space. With all those measures, a phenomenon caused by “Overhead Landscape” projects on a floor screen. In result, it is uniformity space created as the finishing touch, but also heterogeneous space is thrown on the screen.
This time’s construction work unifies with other public territory. In day times, time flows slowly with silence. At nightfall, floated night views bellow people’s eyes produce tense sense in interior space. We always aim at creating space, which stimulates sense of residents and guests.
A purpose of use changes by a resident and at the same time the space changes.
We are now proceeding the second stage plan of the private sections with infusing new breath into architecture and also aspiring to produce architecture beyond time.
Project Data
Architect: Bunzo Ogawa / FUTURE STUDIO
Project Name: BEAM HOUSE
Location: Hiroshima, Japan
Program: Private House
Structure: RC
Site Area: 399.80sqm
Building Area: 261.85sqm
Total Floor Area: 495.22sqm
Floor Area of 1st Construction: 243.95sqm
Design: Aug.2007 – Mar.2009
Construction: Apr.2009 – Jul.2009