With its unconventional angularity, the Hara House by Takeru Shoji Architects stands out among the traditional Japanese houses in the agricultural village of Tsurugasone in Nagaoka City. The studio revitalised a large family estate by updating the pre-existing structures – main family house, work shed, parking area and green house – into more dynamic and functional spaces for their clients, a couple with two children.
Featuring a series of simple A-frame trusses, the home resembles a large tent. The triangular entrance porch is left open on purpose to encourage passing neighbors, friends and children to stop by for a chat, creating a sociable and bustling atmosphere. Inside, carefully-appointed storage spaces are discreetly tucked into corners and awnings to minimize visual clutter. The Hara House, according to the architectural studio, “aims to connect all these entities by being part of the collective form of the village”, reinforcing the old and creating new connections with its surrounding buildings and community.
More projects from the studio here.
Photography © Isamu Murai for Takeru Shoji Architects