Located in the suburbs of Hiroshima, House in Fukawa is a grown up version of a “treehouse” designed by Suppose Design Office for a young family of four. The house occupies a small block and managing to squeeze in three bedroom boxes which cascade and suspend from the central “tree trunk” – a central staircase. The boxes are clad in plywood and their unusual placement carves the space in unusual configurations, creating a series of spaces in between used for eating, reading, relaxing and living. It is almost impossible to judge the scale of this house, to separate the bridges from rooms, indoor from outdoor space…

 


“In architecture we tend to measure everything using a certain scale. People experience a space to be much bigger if they cannot figure out the exact size of it. Within the limits of the plots I tried to grasp a sense of infinity. Similar to the lack of scale in the sky or the sea, residents in this house cannot sense the scale or distance between each other.” Makoto Tanijiri, SDO.


 

No doubt a huge amount of creative and clever thinking has gone into the design of this house. The end result is intelligent and interesting, almost poetic, and there is so much about it that I truly love. Having said that, I have mixed feelings about whether or not I would enjoy living here. Perhaps I am “too conservative” for my own good and prefer my residential spaces more clearly defined. If this was a public building, or a hospitality venue, then perhaps I would feel entirely differently about it. What do you think?


[Via Dwell. Photos by Toshiyuki Yano.]



About The Author

Founder & Editor

With a disarming blend of authority and approachability, Dana is a former refugee-turned-global design visionary. Through her multi-faceted work as a creative director, keynote speaker, editor, curator, interior designer and digital publisher, Dana empowers others to appreciate and engage with design in transformative ways, making the sometimes intimidating world of design accessible to everyone, regardless of their familiarity with the subject. Dana's been catapulted to the status of a stalwart global influencer, with recognition from industry heavyweights such as AD Germany, Vogue Living, Elle Décor Italia and Danish RUM Interiør Design, who have named as one of the Top True Global Influencers of the Design World and counted her among the most visionary female creatives on the planet. Her TEDx talk—"Design Can Change the Way You See the World"— will challenge and transform your understanding of design's omnipresent and profound influence. Through her vast experience in interiors, architecture and design, Dana challenges the prevailing rapid image culture, highlighting the importance of originality, sustainability, connecting with your values and learning to "see" design beyond the aesthetic.

4 Responses

  1. Gillian

    This is A M A Z I N G. Love the contradiction between the simplicity of the interiors and the ingenuity of the design. I want a space in my house that goes up infinitely! I wonder if the bedrooms were photographed, you would get more of a sense of the residential space that it is intended to be. I’d love to experience this house from the inside. Love the concrete bathroom. (followed the link to Suppose Design Office). To me, this is a house that needs to be experienced. Love their work, and Dana, you have such great taste! Love that you appreciate and share great work even when you have your own reservations.

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