This project took place at a site facing a busy intersection. In order to allow for a parking space within
the site, we suggested a combined, three-story structure consisting of a hair
salon on the first floor and a residential area on the second and third
floor. The outer structure of each story
is exactly the same shape and size, and each story is stacked unevenly which
provides a roof to shelter against rain and sunlight from the western side, and
sometimes helps accentuate the air and light.
Also, the exterior appears as though it has been cut with scissors which
unconsciously suggests a hair salon. We
tried to facilitate the co-existence of a shop and a residence by separating
the faces
into south and north.
We incorporated two concepts based on simple principles: the concept that the sun and wind could follow the client as the day progresses, and the concept of bringing indirect sunlight into the building. The client wakes up with the morning sunlight, walks down the stairs that face the east, and then has breakfast under the morning sunlight. Around noon when the sun is up high, strong sunlight from the south is reflected and softened by the white walls and indirectly comes into the building. Bright sunlight from the west reflects on the tilted outer wall and provides radiance, but does not heat the building. At night, wind from the western mountains passes through the building towards the opening in the east. Direct sunlight, which is commonly taboo in hair salons, is shut out by the second floor structure. Also, the thick outer walls insulate the heat and reduce noise.
In an environment with little privacy and exposure to four directions of open space, the uneven placement of the stories was produced as a result of an effort to achieve privacy and a comfortable inner environment for an entire day. Furthermore, we intended this structure to provide a suitable shape for a hair salon, and also to serve as a landmark for the area.
・Intended purpose→Combined shop and residence
・Site area→ 265.40 sqm
・Total floor space→216.34 sqm
・Number of stories→3
・Structure→Steel construction
・Year of completion→2007