Saginuma House
Kanagawa, Japan
The split-level roof terrace on the southern side of this residence in a densely developed urban area serves a triple function. It allows light to flood into the living room on the far (north) side of the terrace, brings a sense of visual expansivity to the space, and provides privacy from the neighboring houses.
Although wood is the primary structural element, the house is actually an accumulation of boxes constructed from materials chosen for their functionality. The bedrooms are wood, the kitchen and bath are concrete that serves as a heat reservoir for the whole house, and the study uses steel plates in place of suspension cables for support. Windows bring fresh air and scenery, as well as a sense of connectivity, to the space as a whole.
