A stark concrete multi-purpose space occupies the ground floor of this house in Osaka by Japanese architect Takeshi Hamada.

This sound-proofed studio/gallery space within the three storey House A is used for live music performances, art exhibitions and social gatherings.

The two upper levels of the house contain the private living areas and feature exposed timber columns and beams, as well as natural lighting.

Photography is by Yohei Sasakura.

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Here is some more information from the architect:

House A

Concept
Narrow house in downtown, low cost, live studio, mixed structure

Background, Atmosphere

The location is Abeno-ward Osaka, Japan. Though it is a superb location just 10 minutes from Tennoji Station, it is in the downtown streets filled with traditional emotion, there are traditional tenement houses, old houses and shops, just 1 block from the main street. I planned the house in the narrow vacant land for 56-square-meters in this area. The house is light and open, and the residents can enjoy their hobbies.

Its owner, K families, those are a couple and one daughter, like music. Especially, their daughter, who is 27 years old, is a musician and received fifth winner in the recital. This family requested “Hobby Room, Live Studio” in their house that they can enjoy music. Sometimes, they will open mini concert with other band members and usually, they will use the room as an art gallery. And sometimes, they want to have a party with close friends by drinking. To maximize the locality with good access, that can create linkages between people through hobbies, such space was required.

Architectural Plan

Use as a distribution, I planned the first floor for "Hobby Room (studio and gallery and bar, live) " and a few floors as a living space. For Live Studio, because high sound insulation is required, I used the RC sturucture for the first floor, and I considered soundproof for doors, sashs, ventilators, and among others. On the other hand, I tried to make cost down in total for the second and the third floor, by using simple space of Japanese traditional wooden structure.

Facade Picture

RC Fair - faced with a facade of spraying material. Stainless steel bay window adds accents.

The first floor, “Hobby Room”

To ensure maximum width of the building, the concrete formwork for the construction with adjacent separator and exterior insulation was used. As a result, interior walls and ceiling are fair - faced the decorative RC. For the floor, I adopted used scaffold boards of cedar wood. For the flexibility to cope with the internal scene, the lighting equipment and orientation can be adjusted to the light.

The third floor, LDK
To achieve low cost, a few floor living space has a simple wooden structure and space. Especially, the third floor studio is a one room space with no joinery. By exposing the column and beam with bracing, the spatial and visual spread is ensured. The floor is solid wood used in unpainted pine. Since the change in color and luster through the years, they can enjoy the aging of the material.

The Second Floor
There are daughter's and parents’ bedroom with bath, toilet and kitchen. Since it’s difficult to get enough light by approaching the neighbours, I used top lights and side lights to receive natural ligjhts as much as possible. The floor is solid wood used in unpainted pine.

Live Scene
Once or twice a month, band friends of the owner gather to perform a concert. Live in the past, overcrowded by standing audience, ended in great success.

Overview
House Name: "House A"
Location: Abeno-ward, Osaka, JAPAN
Construction: August 2010 - March 2011
Structure: First Floor - Reinforced Concrete, Second and Third Floor - Wooden Structure
Site Area: 59.34 sq m
Building Area: 45.82 sq m
Floor Area: 128.28 sq m; 1F (43.66 sq m) 2F (54.82 sq m) 3F (38.80 sq m)
Architect: Takeshi Hamada

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