K5-house [house of slow life] was built in natural environment of the countryside of Kurume city in Fukuoka. Site is in quiet countryside and many families live there happily with each other for quite a long time. So I design this house with the concept of harmonizing architecture and natural environment to make the family live a slow happy life with neighbors there.
Appearance is like sharp shape made of white and black color. Outer wall next to entrance is protruded diagonally and pasted red cedar on one side to make it friendly to family.
The wood deck in front of living room is used as play yard for children and oasis for the family. This is the first communication place for this family because aluminum sash can be fully open and let interior connect exterior with each other closely.
Hollowed out space where locates in front of Japanese-style room and next to entrance is the second communication place for this family and surrounding people. In doll festival (3rd March), surrounding people can also see the decoration of Japanese-style room from this space.
There is a semibasement under kitchen & dining room. Children can dance and enjoy theater there. By designing these three different levels of skip floors, family can take relax there like sitting on a bench. Also space can change flexibly by movable screen between living and kitchen & dining room.
Stairs that are supported by colonnades of red cedar looks floating in the air. I designed indirect light in handrail of stairs. So stairs become a part of living room by the gentle light from colonnades of red cedar.
I designed this architecture in harmony with people and surrounding nature so that the family could live slowly and happily in this house.