House of Maple Leaves

Add To Collection

Other Projects by Edward Suzuki Associates

Add To Collection

House of Maple Leaves

Firm

Edward Suzuki Associates

Type

Residential › Private House

YEAR

2009

This is a villa situated about an hour’s rapid train ride from Tokyo in a mountain resort of Karuizawa, Japan. It is basically a wooden structure with the peripheral balconies in steel. The design is adapted from passive energy principles applied in the world-famous Katsura Imperial Villa in Kyoto. The only artificially operated system is the radiant hot-water heating embedded in the floor, running the entire length of the peripheral fenestration with heat pump air conditioning units as supplements just in case.Legal and binding design guidelines in the area required a roof slope of 1:5 minimum, eave length of 5oo mm minimum, and a limited selection of exterior coloring.Natural passive energy means include but are not limited to the following: 1) exterior insulation with2) air circulation paths in between exterior and interior finishes3) cross ventilation under the ground floor to protect against humidity4) overall cross ventilation with openable windows5) complete fenestration on the south with 6) airtight, high-insulation composite sash with7) double-pane glass8) allowing low winter sun penetration and blocking high summer sun9) use of deciduous trees in the south similarly allowing low winter sun penetration and blocking high summer sun10) extended eaves to provide shade11) double floor living space to act as passive solar collector12) fireplace in the living space to burn trash13) ceiling fans to circulate warm air14) highly insulating natural Japanese stucco (with embedded maple leaves)15) use of laminated bamboo instead of wood for floors, built-in furniture, cabinets, doors, and closets, as bamboo is very fast-growing (and hence more ecological than wood) and profusely abundant in Japan)16) use of fluorescent and LED lights17) corrugated metal exterior finish for easy maintenance and sustainability18) reflective silver roofing for insulation and temperature control

Product Spec Sheet

Were your products used?

Join as a manufacturer to add your products.

Collaborating Firms

Was your firm involved? Add it now.

Team

Were you involved? Add yourself.

House of Maple Leaves

Other Projects by Edward Suzuki Associates

Vent Vert

House on the Bluff

House of Maple Leaves

Product Spec Sheet

Collaborating Firms

Team

Keep Exploring Architizer by Creating a Free Account or Logging in.

House of Maple Leaves

Other Projects by Edward Suzuki Associates

Vent Vert

House on the Bluff

House of Maple Leaves

Product Spec Sheet

Collaborating Firms

Team