House Miyagino

The surrounding area used to be a shopping street, marked by narrow buildings that trace back the old days. Once the house became old and dangerous, architects Kazuya Saito decided to divide the space in two long narrow volumes, to achieve harmony with the context. The east side of the volume is 2,7 m cantilevered to secure a parking space, while the thick exterior wall – designed with a tofu motif – bears a plaster finishing. The thickness of the wall hosts facility equipment in it, and protects from direct sunlight and rainwater, without having to install eaves.

The interiors combine high and low ceilings, with bright spaces facing south – where we find the public tofu cafe – while the private rooms are placed on the opposite side with a more private lower ceiling. While securing the independence of each room, the connection of the core to the two different volumes gives access to each room, gently expanding the living spaces sequentially. The core also guides from the entrance towards the terrace, securing daylight for the whole house and supporting the cantilevered area.

House Myiagino, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
Program: private house with shop
Architects: Kazuya Saito Architects
Structural engineering: Atsuhiro Nakahata
Contractor: Kyoei Housing
Site area: 94,33 sqm
Building area: 69,63 sqm
Floor surface: 167,41 sqm
Completion: 2015