PATIO - Yaita and Associates

The client desired a simple form residence with a interior wide open inside but cannot be perceived from outside . This wish became the entire concept of the residence.

First, in order to take the light in, the living, dinning and kitchen are arranged on the top second floor. As a way to prevent gaze from the outside, the spaces are enclosed together with a courtyard, Floating Patio, with walls and is placed as if floating above a Japanese-style room ’ s structure of the first floor.

At the basement, another thin courtyard, Sunken Patio, is made so that it will link to the second floor ’ s courtyard. There, private spaces such as bedrooms and bathrooms are placed under plentiful of light, though they are located in the basement.

The first floor that is inserted between two private spaces on the top and the bottom is designed as more intimate space to the outside world compared to the two different floors. The Japanese-style room on the floor is designed to hold tea ceremonies. The second floor ’ s floating structure serves as a large roof for the first floor which created the open and dynamic space around the structure surrounding the Japanese-style room. The space is analogous to Roji-a designed alley in the context of traditional Japanese garden and the Japanese-style room will become a tearoom in the Roji.

Patios of each layers give completely different space experience on each story. Each of them gives very different and impressive image.

Moreover, by floating the box of the second floor, a fresh wind enters from a crevice, blows through this Patio helped by outer wall equipment which can be opened and closed. This system realized an airy, comfortable space. Here, Patio appeared as a new way of an urban residence.