Architects: Curiosity, Milligram Studio
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Architect: Gwenael Nicolas - Curiosity + Tomoyuki Ustumi - Milligram Studio
Structural Engineering: Mitsuhiro Kanada
Main Contractor: Mitsuhiro Kanada
Client: Curiosity
Area: 189.0 sqm
Project Year: 2005
“A private house is not a canvas for life it should define life itself, each action and movement is defined and controlled by the design of the space and it creates the balance of life, the speed and rhythm of the human body” as was said by the architects of this project, Curiosity + Milligram Studio. With their design for the C1 House, located in Tokyo, Japan, several questions about architecture is visited, even as far as to rethink the creative process in which architecture is designed.
The house itself is situated on a plot with a site area of 189 square meters, however the house was already designed before given a location. C1 was designed like a movie with a scenario and story boards in which all aspects of the project were designed and developed in parallel with each other. In that regard the house is designed as a product, a seamless space where architecture, interior furniture, and products become an unique emotional experience and are fully connected.
The basic architectural design is that of a glass box surrounded by a walkway-gallery that connects the floors. The walkway was designed using 3D animations, where the sequences of the interior were checked from all angles. This elaborate investigation and detail corresponds with the architect’s intention of having the design defined from a user point of view, with movement and discovery as the main theme. Another interesting detail about the architecture of the house is that to accentuate the seamless movement sought for the design, 25mm steel slabs were used as floors that come to a total thickness of 60mm once the flooring material was added.
Text and photos - Arch20