Warehouse by Shinichi Ogawa & Associates

Japanese architects Shinichi Ogawa & Associates have completed this house in Hiroshima, Japan, with one wall glazed in sliding panels that open onto a grassy courtyard.

Called Warehouse, the long narrow space has an open-plan interior.

Above photograph is by Yoshiyuki Yano
A free-standing structure in the double-height space houses cabinets and private rooms, while the top of the largest unit can be used as an extra floor.

Above photograph is by Yoshiyuki Yano
At night, light from the inside can be seen from the street through a frosted glass courtyard wall.

Above photograph is by Yoshiyuki Yano
Photographs are by the architects unless stated otherwise.

Above photograph is by Yoshiyuki Yano
Here’s more detail from the architects:

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The house is essentially a large, “one room space” with functional furniture (millwork).

Above photograph is by Yoshiyuki Yano
This site is located in the suburb, Higashihiroshima-shi in Hiroshima, Japan. There are low-rise houses vastly spread around this rural district.

The building is a single volume house with dimensions of 3.0m H. x 8.0m W. x 21.5m L. with a courtyard enclosed by frosted glass.

The interior of this “one room space” is composed of a hall, living/dining room and a kitchen, bathroom, Japanese-style room, study room, and a master bedroom, which are all laid out in a linear arrangement.

This “one room space” is compartmentalized into several spaces by the floor level changes and the arrangement of functional furniture.

The top of the functional furniture creates yet another floor, which is planned to be the child room, while the inside of this functional furniture is planned for private space.

Hence, while being able to feel and be part of this vast, “one room space”, simultaneously, one is able to have privacy, by aligning the top of the functional furniture to the same height.

Above photograph is by Yoshiyuki Yano
The interior space seamlessly connects with the courtyard on the south side of the house, due to the sliding glass doors which can fully open and let the interior become one with nature.

Above photograph is by Yoshiyuki Yano
This house enables a comfortable, luxurious space where the residents’ daily actions are accomplished and where one can live along with the change of nature.

Above photograph is by Yoshiyuki Yano