Architects: APOLLO Architects & Associates
Area: 142 m²
Year: 2014
Photography: Masao Nishikawa
Lead Architect: Satoshi Kurosaki
Structure Engineers: Dezainsenta
Facility Engineers: Naoki Matsumoto
Construction: RCage
City: Nakano
Country: Japan
Frame, designed by APOLLO Architects & Associates in 2014, is a 142 m² home with a studio for a fashion photographer. Located in a flood-prone area, the entrance is elevated. The house features FRP frameworks, concrete, and teak wood accents for a cost-efficient yet cohesive design. Large openings allow natural light to create shadow gradations, while the third floor offers flexible living space and an outdoor area for gatherings.
Frame achieves a low-cost and quick construction time by using standard wooden frameworks in place of exposed concrete, along with FRP (fiber-reinforced plastic) that can be converted.
The house, featuring a studio for a fashion photographer, is situated in a flood-risk area. To address this, the entrance level is raised by 800 mm, and the studio on the first floor is lowered to maintain ceiling height.
The facade incorporates a distinctive single-sheet glass and reinforced concrete with randomly arranged FRP frameworks. Itauba wood, known for its water resistance, is used for the walls and the back of the eaves, creating a striking contrast between wood and concrete.
Teak wood is used for the second-floor ceiling, visible behind the window sash, enhancing the sense of unity between the interior and exterior. Teak is also used throughout the interior for flooring, furniture, and fixtures. Light entering through large openings casts subtle shadow patterns across the floors, walls, and ceilings. The third floor features a free room, intended to be a children’s room, along with a similarly sized outdoor living area suitable for gatherings.
The house incorporates high insulation with 60 mm heat insulators in the walls, while the roof uses a waterproof frame, cutting costs while maintaining functionality. Streamlined construction reduced the number of workers needed, shortening the building process. Rising construction costs in Japan due to earthquake recovery and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics have increased the demand for such low-cost RC Structures.
Project Gallery
Project Location
Address: Nakano, Tokyo, Japan
Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily a precise address.
