Dezeen Magazine

Outside (Outside) ((Outside)) by a.a.+H

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This house by Japanese architects a.a.+H has two roofs and four more tiny houses inside (+ slideshow).

Outside Outside Outside by a.a.+H

The house in Saitama, north of Tokyo, has two sets of of roof beams which create an intermediate balcony space between them.

Outside Outside Outside by a.a.+H

Half of the inner roof is covered with polycarbonate sheets which seal off the space while allowing light through to the ground floor.

Outside Outside Outside by a.a.+H

The other half is uncovered, allowing a view to the outer roof which is clad in wooden panels.

Outside Outside Outside by a.a.+H

Four small houses have also been built on each corner of the ground floor, nestling against the beams of the inner roof.

Outside Outside Outside by a.a.+H

The tiny houses have corrugated slate roofs and chipboard screen doors in the traditional Japanese style, and they contain the bedrooms, bathroom and living room.

Outside Outside Outside by a.a.+H

This isn't the first house within a house we've featured on Dezeen – similar projects from Japan include an inside-out house that lets in rain and wind and a house hidden behind a facade of unglazed openings.

Outside Outside Outside by a.a.+H

Other Japanese houses we've featured recently include a shimmering steel tower in Kyoto and a wedge-shaped house coated in gravel.

Outside Outside Outside by a.a.+H

See all our stories about Japanese houses »

Outside Outside Outside by a.a.+H

Photographs are by Hiroshi Ueda.

Outside Outside Outside by a.a.+H

Here's some more information from the architects:

Under a tree, under the tarps, Under the hut...
The concept was to configure the internal structure of the house to create the illusion that the inside of the home acts as the outside of 'a house within a house'. By incorporating a layout that promotes ample natural lighting, outdoor living is brought into the residence.

Outside Outside Outside by a.a.+H

Location: Saitama, Japan
Site area: 142.94m2

Outside Outside Outside by a.a.+H

Building area: 71.55m2
Total floor area: 86.41m2
Type of Construction: wooden

Outside Outside Outside by a.a.+H

Exterior Materials:
Corrugated metal roofing, corrugated slate, glass fiber reinforced polyester
Interior Materials: OSB, fiber reinforced cement board, corrugated polycarbonate

Outside Outside Outside by a.a.+H

Above: ground floor plan

Design time: May 2010 – Jun 2011
Date of completion： Dec 2011

Outside Outside Outside by a.a.+H

Above: first floor plan

Design: Kaoru Kuzukawa + Masatoshi Shikada　(a.a.+H)
Structural engineer: Taro Yokoyama (LOW FAT structure Inc.)

Outside Outside Outside by a.a.+H

Above: section

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