House in Yakumo

This project is situated on a site that runs 30 meters along the edge of a lush urban park.
As the site holds deep sentimental value for the client, the request was for an impressive building that would serve as a city landmark, seamlessly integrated with the park.
At eye level, where the building connects with the park, the design aims for a texture that blends into the natural surroundings. A solid concrete block with a sense of weight—created by randomly laying cedar planks of three different widths in formwork and applying deep joints with 15-millimeter-deep joint bars whose sides were roughened to avoid straight lines—serves as the base. In contrast, a light, steel-framed glass box spans the base like a bridge, creating a composition that minimizes any sense of oppression toward the park.
The pilotis beneath the bridge blend seamlessly with the park’s atmosphere, creating an open space. Designed as an “outer living room” that can also be accessed from the café area, the ground has been excavated to conceal benches and fire pits, ensuring an unobstructed view toward the park. Sunlight filtering through the trees reflects off the water basin at the boundary with the park, creating ripples on the ceiling that guide the park’s dappled sunlight into the city. A void connecting the park and the city also runs through the center of the glass box on the upper floor, creating a seamless connection to the city without obstructing the park’s atmosphere or greenery. A 1–2-meter-wide balcony wraps around the glass box, with green planters installed all the way around in place of handrails. The greenery blocks views into the interior from the outside, while from the inside, it blends with the park’s greenery to create a sense of depth. The greenery in the planters reflects off the glass surfaces, obscuring the building’s presence and giving the impression that a mass of greenery is floating in the air. Outdoor sofas were placed on the rooftop to create a space where visitors can enjoy the park’s greenery from the treetops. Furthermore, outside the café area, benches were installed where people can sip takeout coffee while gazing up at the trees from below. By fully embracing the benefits of the adjacent park and passing them on to the city rather than keeping them to ourselves, the design aims to project a strong presence as a landmark while blending into the greenery to become a symbol of the city that is one with the park.