筒井紀博空間工房

ARCHITECTURE・INTERIOR・FUNITURE・SIGN・LANDSCAPE

Caves are an archetype of the human dwelling; their solid enclosure brings a sense of security to a space. The dramatic entry of natural light, the echoing sounds, hard textures, and characteristic temperature—this “caverna” (Italian for “cave”) is a house inspired by the cave.
This house, that expresses the essence of housing in a simple and primitive way, has one basement level and three floors above, with seven floor levels arranged in a split-level configuration, creating a vertical cave-like connection from floor to floor. Within these spaces are contained the owner’s beloved possessions such as his car (Ferrari) that copiously encapsulate the owner’s identity.
The automobile was the inspiration for the house, since when the client thought about purchasing a Ferrari, he wondered if a parking space in a rental apartment would be sufficient. This question led to the construction of the house. The client wanted a garage space for the Ferrari, a concrete exterior and interior, a green rooftop for yoga practice, and an architecturally iconic space.

The site is located in one of the most prestigious residential areas in Tokyo, with a wide front road that can readily accommodate two cars and ample room for backing in the Ferrari. On the first level is a garage for the car with an adjacent hobby space.

The living room on the second floor overlooks the garage in a split-level floor configuration, and on the top floor is the bathroom with an outdoor space to maintain privacy. In the basement, the bedroom faces a sunken garden with abundant vegetation, creating a private semi-outdoor space. The interior space has a formal ambiance with a dynamic play of light in the complex spatial composition.

English translation by Norie Lynn Fukuda (DMA)