

mA-style extends a rural japanese home for a young couple

image © kai nakamura

all images courtesy of mA-style architects

tokyo-based architecture firm mA-style architects extends a typical rural japanese residence to create a separate home for a young couple. ‘koya no sumika’ is designed for the clients to have their own space for sleeping and spending quiet time, while the kitchen, bathroom, main hosting space and children’s bedrooms remain shared with the main house, reinforcing strong ties to the family. the construction is a single enfilade with a V-beam roof truss that adds height to the single story plan. the structure is composed of sandwiched plywood on 62 mm panels layeres with a thin roof on top. the edges overhang the bearing walls, providing a grand scale to the addition. inside, the high peaked roof allows abundant light and air to enter the dwelling. below, study areas and other programs are built into the plan with a variety of finishes that add a rhythm of contrast through the open space. the two parts of the complex are connected by a corridor on the west side, but separated by a garden in the middle. this distance allows the couple to contemplate the role of the two parts of the home, and mentally prepare to switch between them.



(left): a garden provides distance between the family home and the couple’s extension

(right): a corridor at the west side of the existing house connects the two buildings

images © kai nakamura



simple living spaces are finished in white — a clean palette for the young couple’s creativity

image © kai nakamura



the extension is designed as a single open plan space

image © kai nakamura



main living spaces for hosting occupy the original residence

image © kai nakamura



view from the loft

image © kai nakamura



(left): the facade during the day

(right): at night, the space is legible from outside

image © kai nakamura



the high peaked roof references that of the original home

image © kai nakamura

simple work spaces add variety to the open plan dwelling

image © kai nakamura

light and air circulate freely throughout the structure

image © kai nakamura

view of the peaked roof from the main living space

image © kai nakamura

plan level 0

image © mA-style architects

plan level 1

image © mA-style architects

section

image © mA-style architects

exploded axon of roof construction

image © mA-style architects full article here

project info:

architecture : atsushi kawamoto + mayumi kawamoto

photography : kai nakamura

location : yaizu –city shizuoka japan

date of completion : june 2013

principal use : residence

structure : built of wood

site area : 778.38m2

total floor area : 82.55m2 (65.99m2/1f, 16.56m2/2f)

structural engineer : daisuke hasegawa

material information :

exterior finish : resin mortar

floor : trowel concrete , japanese cedar flooring

wall : plasterboard t=12.5 acrylic emulsion paint

ceiling : plasterboard t=9.5 acrylic emulsion paint