Architects: Suppose Design Office
Location: Nagoya city, Aichi, Japan
Program: House with shop
Structure: Reinforced concrete structure, 3 stories
Site area: 84.09m
Building area: 44.41m
Total floor area: 103.60m (1st floor:38.80m 2nd floor:32.40m 3rd floor:32.40m)
Building coverage: 52.81% (max 60%)
Ratio of building volume to lot: 123.20% (max 200%)
Photographs: Toshiyuki Yano from Nacasa&Partners Inc.
This house located in Nagoya city has three functions: a flower shop, an art gallery and living quarters. Here, these three spaces which are normally separated,break the unseen barriers and integrate with each other. With flowers displayed in the gallery, they become art.
With art in the flower shop, it becomes closer to life. With the living quarters blending with the shop space, the time it takes to arrange flowers becomes richer. With the display space in the art gallery crossing an invisible border line, we even wanted to cross the borders that define ‘home’.
On the north face of the property, an elementary school provides an unchanging environment for the future. This property,which looks out onto the schoolyard, offers an enjoyable view of the trees and flowers that have been planted there.
In an effort to blend the first floor art gallery and flower shop with the walkway leading to the school, we created an open space incorporating the walkway as part of the building’s exterior.
Utilizing the height of the ceilings of the first floor,we have framed the walkway to the schoolyard and procured the views of the cherry blossoms, tender spring leaves, and the autumn foliage. It is almost as though the school yard is an extended part of the flower shop.
The second and third floors have been built to minimize the effects of noise from the walkway by building a spacious opening on only the north side. Soft, natural light allows the owner to enjoy the plants and flowers in the most beautiful way.
By opening the architecture to the surrounding environment, we have created the opportunity to blend the ground to the building, the building to the people, and the people to other people.
http://www.archdaily.com/29134/house-in-nagoya-01-suppose-design-office/#more-29134
