House in Shimogamo / Tomohiro Hata Architect and Associates: The Opera of Openness  

Project Specifications

Project Name: House in Shimogamo

Project Architects: Tomohiro Hata Architect and Associates

Project Area: 206sq.m

Project Location: Shimogamo, Kyoto, japan

Interior Designers: Tomohiro Hata Architect and Associates

Landscape Design: Sone Zoen Co., Ltd.- Ayako Sone, Seiji Sogabe

Head Architects: Tomohiro Hata Architect and Associates

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House In Shimogamo By Tomohiro Hata Architect and Associates speaks differently in the Urban landscape of Kyoto. 

A masterpiece in the land with a variety of residences merging in the beauty of surrounding nature. The range of mount Hiei, the presence of river Kamo and the nearby environment offers a scenic background to the outstanding portrait of House In Shimogami. 

“I was deeply impressed by the landscape of this place, where roofs of various ages and sizes overlapped each other and blended into the mountainous landscape in the background, in an environment where townhouses, mansions, and modern buildings are mixed, together”, shares Tomohiro Hata Architect and Associates.

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The Icon in the Lush Landscape: House in Shimogamo

The approach of the architect towards the roofs hung at different levels positions the house between the overall landscape in a very interesting manner. Exterior with wooden style finish and complementing dark finish of roofs make the whole structure iconic. Large windows, a terrace overlooking the road, and an adjacent landscape blend the interior spaces of the house with the exterior.

Structural Splits

The structure is a composition of interesting spaces created at different levels connected in harmony. Starting with the pockets formed by the interplay of open and closed spaces and the idea of having a separate roof for space makes the whole experience blissful.

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Light filtering through the projecting open spaces, windows, and double-height spaces shower all the designed areas with natural light. The sleek and minimal staircase connects the levels of the house in Shimogamo. 

Overlapping floors and ceilings of different spaces merge and mix together to blur the boundaries of different functions of the house.

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The use of glass, white finishes, wooden purlins, members, and wooden finish on the interior as well as the exterior surfaces dance together and entertain the entire hose in Shimogamo.

The house has a unique interplay of semi-open spaces blended with small habitable pockets. A children’s room, a tea ceremony room, and a doma are on the first floor of the house.

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The idea of inventing each space with a separate identity by providing distinct roofs for the rooms on the first floor. The tea ceremony room is linked with the terrace on the upper floor, the children’s room to the dining space this way all the space bind with the spaces on the second floor.

Rest two floors above incorporate a dining room, living room, terrace, and an observation room on the topmost floor. The house in Shimogamo is blessed with the feature of introducing connection in all the spaces with the provision of different roofs.

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A perfect blend of spaces with openings gives a sanctuary to escape the hustle and enjoy the scenic environment. Living space and other utilitarian spaces celebrate the connections and give a perfect mix to organize everyday life efficiently. 

The play of light and materials is yet another narrative that shaped the house with a delight. An architecture marvel, House In Shimogamo not only serves the functions of a residence and gives a blissful living environment to the residents but also spreads a sense of connection and enhancement to the surroundings and the existing topographical features.

The House In Shimogamo by Tomohiro Hata Architect and Associates, reflects the idea and ideology of the architects and their way of satisfying the client day to day living as well as the different moods and emotions of the client and his family.

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Architects at Tomohiro Hata Architect and Associates Have the ideology of designing the residences with a close understanding of living and experience of client’s needs, team elaborates their ideas by explaining the life and functions of 30 years at a minimum. They explain the recurrence of the same activity in the same spaces of the house and they demonstrate the need for designs for the long term.

Tomohiro Hata Architect and Associates explains the human experience of living, various emotions, feelings, etc. Spaces that give you separate and breakout spaces in need when one doesn’t feel like interacting and at the same time spaces filled with positive connections with the rest of the members like children, parents, etc when needed.

Hence they incorporate factors of human psychology while designing the personal spaces in the houses.

Also Read: Roca House / Gustavo Penna Arquiteto E Associados: Best Project

Philosophy of Tomohiro Hata Architect and Associates

Their idea of presenting architecture is to have an essence of what has not changed with time, at the same time serving all the functions and utilities emerging with time. Placed the built-in topography in such a way that it blends with the surrounding nature and its elements.

Topographic features of an area affect wind, vegetation, and other living organisms hence the additional structures should be a blend in the given environment and should not obstruct any ongoing natural chain or cycle.

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The idea is to study and read the existing unique and different topographic features and then coexist with all those perks of uniqueness. Also, to create Japanese architecture with no definite explanation, they mention the Japanese culture and ideology, of universal use of things existing. 

“Japan as a cultural background for me is such a free way of thinking and I want to create architecture that leads to such a freedom.”quote by Tomohiro Hata Architect and Associates.

The house is the book with a compact play of materials, nature, concept, function, ideas, and uniqueness. In the House In Shimogamo, Tomohiro Hata Architect and Associates wrote the architectural script with all the ideologies and philosophies and took the house to the horizon of excellence.

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