Japanese studio Unemori Architects has completed a house in the city of Takaoka that is raised 70 centimetres above the ground on concrete stilts to protect it from flooding and heavy snow.
The owners of the House in Takaoka ? a couple with two young daughters ? approached Tokyo-based Unemori Architects to design a home that responds to the region's harsh climate.
Unemori Architects has raised a Japanese house on concrete stilts
In winter, this area of the Toyama Prefecture typically experiences heavy snowfall, short daylight hours and high humidity.
The single-storey, 112-square-metre building is raised above the ground to reduce the risk of flooding from the nearby river, while also allowing for air circulation and protection from snow accumulation. The stilts help protect it from flooding and heavy snow
The house is built on a deep lot in an old district of Takaoka, flanked by a neighbouring property to the north and a warehouse to the south.
Unemori Architects was tasked with creating a building that faces away from its neighbours while incorporating large windows that allow maximum daylight to enter.
Clerestory windows line the main open-plan living area
The firm divided the building into three parts with varying floor and ceiling heights, which helps to differentiate between the internal rooms.
The tallest space contains the main open-plan living area. Clerestory windows above the kitchen and a large opening in the adjacent wall allow natural light to flood into this...