The recent project undertaken by Japanese architectural practice no. 555 was to construct a family home on top of a hill in ‘Yamato Bluff’ in Yokohama Japan, a popular tourist area of well-kept late 19th century homes and a small park. Rather than conform to the architectural style of the neighborhood, the architects decided to design a contemporary geometric structure which would ‘respect and challenge the potential of the area and the direct environment.’
The result is NDA(Planter) house, a home of 188 sq.m. faced in an interesting pattern of concrete ‘bricks’ of varying shades, a contemporary camouflage which avoids the monotony of a single color block and allows the building to become part of its surroundings. The design mirrors that of an actual planter, a series of load bearing walls with horizontal and vertical cutouts for planted green terraces. A defining factor of the design was to follow the wishes of the client for ‘open yet private spaces’; the architects have accomplished this by blocking off the undesirable view of a nearby housing complex on one side yet opening up the view of the exciting cityscape with a peek at Mount Fuji in the distance.
The interior has been designed with the bedrooms on the ground floor and the open living areas on the first floor in order to enjoy the superior views. Access to the home is from the ground floor and also via an external metal staircase to the first floor. The landscaped garden of the small plot appears to be part of the adjoining park, the perfectly manicured lawns a tribute to the sense of order which abounds within the culture of Japan.
