Ogimachi House by Uno Tomoaki Architects
Built by a son for an ailing mother, this house was conceptualized with emphasis on the way private spaces and society interact. Eventually, Tomoaki Uno Architects proposed a house with no windows on the wall except for the entrance and the rear entrance.
This house was built by a son for an ailing mother, taking inspiration from the traditional timber panel construction method of Japan. An important concept of this house is the way privacy and social interaction co-exist. "I proposed a house with no windows on the wall except for the entrance and the rear entrance. Instead, he suggested installing 32 fixes and five large windows that could be opened and closed on the ceiling. The structure is the traditional 'Itakura' structure. For the outer wall, a 30 mm thick cedar board was doubled, and insulation was put between them. All made of cedar and cypress. His mother felt stressed when she started living, but now she seems very comfortable and I am relieved.", says Uno Tomoaki, Founder, Uno Tomoaki Architects.
Since the house has no windows, ventilation has to be dealt with unconventionally. When inside a typical house, contact with society is concentrated in windows. Mental stress is mostly due to contact with society. Skylight has only the nature of the sun, the sky and the wind. Peace of mind is born from the relationship between trusting people and calm nature. "I was once told by a Ryusenji House client. We have lived in this windowless house and have never had this open-minded experience before. Ventilation is is provided through the skylight. Some skylights open.", added Uno Tomoaki.
The traditional Itakura structure was often used as a rice warehouse in the history of Japan. An interesting blend was found between this traditional technique and contemporary architecture.
"The important thing is to organize requests and functions. And to form that greatest common divisor. Making it the simplest and simplest form. I think all ancient houses are the same. I am only translating in modern terms. I hope there will be 1000 years later."- Uno Tomoaki.
The chief building materials used throughout the house are a combination of Chedar and Cypress wood. Cedar and Cypress are the most distributed materials in Japan. Cypress, however, is stronger than cedar, so the members can be made thinner. Also, cypress is often used as a pillar in Japan because it offers greater weather resistance.
Project Name: Ogimachi House
Location: Nagoya, Aichi Pref, Japan
Architecture Firm: Tomoaki Uno Architects
Lead Architects: Tomoaki Uno
Photography: Ben Hosking