Guest Contribution by Pascal Panagiotidis

Small houses are a real challenge for most of the architects and OHCHI-01 by Jun Ishikawa is a good example of such a design concept.
Mix and match is one of the basic elements; just check the triangular roof and the inclined wall; transforming into the main entrance of the house. Two different ideas, a traditional one coexists successfully with a modern version of a “gap” used as an entrance.  The building has small windows so that the owners may enjoy privacy.  However the architects used glass in different places of the house and also on the top in order to let the light enter and reflect on the walls. The building is quite small (45m2) and each space has been divided by glass in order to make the space even bigger by providing continuity between the different rooms. The whole concept is minimal and functional despite the small size making the whole place a pleasant home for its owners.

Program: ”Two family home (parents and their child)”
Project completion date: April 2008
Project location: Fuchu, Tokyo
Plan and design: Jun Ishikawa architect and Kiyo Tsuru
Construction : KURASHI construction