Momiji House

Building is wrapped around Momiji tree (winter).

Project details

• Project Name: Momiji House
• Location of Site: Tokyo, Japan
• Design Team: George Dasic; Hiro Kimoto; Hiroko Okawa, Tamaki Suzuki
• Project Type: Single family house
• Client: Anton + Junko Hersche
• Contractor/s: Meiho Corp
• Site Area: 200 sq m
• Built-up Area: 230 sq m
• Date of completion: October, 2001

Words from the architect

The wife practices ikebana (Japanese flower arrangement) while the husband paints. The husband also wanted to run his business from an office in the house. One of the more interesting requirements was to accommodate "life-styles" of several cats and dogs they owned. They also frequently entertain so large living space connected to a BBQ terrace was a must.

Overlooking Shiodome towers on the west.

The concept was developed around Momiji tree (Japanese maple) that was on the site. Project was developed as a 10mx10mx10m cube with one quarter cut out allowing it to incorporate the tree, The cut-out contains all the front spaces and main opening merging the interior with the Momiji garden. Since the Fueng Shui master, told the clients that the bathrooms and toilets should be on the front of the house rather than towards the middle the designed allowed the Momiji to be viewed from the bathtub, making it reminiscent of bathing in a traditional Japanese spa.

Stones from the original garden that occupied site were incorporated.

The house is designed with concrete base and wood structure which necessitated "X' braces on the perimeter glass walls. Interior was mostly treated with white paint while floor are stone panels and oak flooring (to help with cleaning due to the house pets). The outside is clad in aluminum-corrugated sheets. Top floor contains traditional Japanese room with Tatami mats and stucco walls.

Top floor studio terrace.

The first floor as an open living space with kitchen and "cat room" together with a "cat door". The living space is separated to the dining and seating area divided with stairs.
The second floor was to be bedrooms and bathroom as well as wife's "Ikebana room".

Custom made table in housing glasses, remote controls, and magazines and based on the Chinese box concept.

The third floor is the husband's domain. It is fitted as an open plan studio to do business over the week and paint over the weekend. The side of the studio is floored with traditional Tatami reed mats. The deck looks over Shinagawa skyscrapers and planes flying in and out of Haneda airport.

Credits

• Text: George Dasic Architects
• Photographs: Peter Cook