House-S, Japan

House-S is the latest residential project by young Tokyo-based architect Keiji Ashizawa

Located in a quiet residential area a few roads away from the busy Tokyo business district, it was built as a family home for a professional couple and their two young children

In an effort to maximise living space, Ashizawa created large floor-to-ceiling openings towards the ground floor garden, also enhancing this feeling of generousness with a double-height dark wood-clad sitting room area

Connection with the outside world was a key requirement for the clients and this need soon became central to the whole design concept

The structure may appear hermetically closed from the outside, but inside, the architects secured a comfortable, green and spacious contemporary family home

The property boasts the luxury of space, as well as a terrace or garden on every single floor - even the roof

The dining room overlooks this green garden, which features a decked terrace

The bedrooms are linked via a common planted terrace

The decked roof offers long views from the top of the building towards the business district's skyscrapers

All these outdoor areas have a different personality and were designed to be as private as possible, kept away from the neighbours and passer-by's prying eyes

Comfortably spread across three spacious levels, House-S is a sure departure from the standard compact architectural structure that has come to define Japanese houses

Highlighting the owners' passion and deep understanding for old Asian furniture, design and the modern arts, the ample spaces created were also perfect for the owners' design collection display