Overview
The Sugi House, a residential project in Kyoto, Japan, was designed by the Japanese studio Ujizono Architects. This structure incorporates an expansive gabled ceiling that is illuminated by clerestory windows, sheltering the home's open living spaces. The design intent, articulated by Ujizono Architects co-founders Kazuki Ujigawa and Mirai Ozono, focused on a “subtle rearranging” of the characteristic architectural forms observed in homes within east Kyoto.
Research Context
The design approach for Sugi House directly engaged with the existing residential typology of east Kyoto. Ujizono Architects sought to adapt or reconfigure familiar spatial arrangements rather than introduce entirely novel forms. This contextual engagement informed the specific design choices made for the house's configuration and aesthetic.
Approach
Ujizono Architects' co-founders, Kazuki Ujigawa and Mirai Ozono, described their design process as aiming to “subtly rearrange” the conventional form of homes found in the east Kyoto region. A key element of this approach involved establishing a distinct contrast between the building's two primary levels. This manifested as an enclosed ground floor juxtaposed with a more expansive first floor, altering the typical volumetric distribution and spatial experience within the dwelling.
Findings
The completed Sugi House features specific architectural elements that embody the designers' objectives. An expansive gabled ceiling defines the upper volume of the house, incorporating clerestory windows that provide illumination to the open living spaces beneath. This structural and fenestration choice is a direct outcome of the stated aim to create a nuanced departure from traditional local forms. The contrast between the enclosed ground floor and the open, expansive first floor represents the core rearrangement of typical residential configurations in east Kyoto.