HouseAA in Nara City Features A Roof Designed For Privacy

This two-storey family house is set in a residential neighborhood of Nara City, in the Kansai region of Japan. Called HouseAA, the home has been designed by local studio, Moca Architects, who were tasked with creating a bright and airy home, while also maintaining privacy.

From the outside, the HouseAA’s most striking feature is the steeply pitched roof with it’s large overhang. The roof serves to provide privacy for the inhabitants. According to the architects it conceals 60% of the façade, and also restricts views from both the inside and outside.

From the architects: “It controls the eye from both the inside and the outside”. A number of strategically positioned openings cut through the roof to provide viewpoints and bring in natural light to the upper floor of the house. On the ground floor, smaller windows have been used and positioned above eye level for privacy.

The ground floor of HouseAA contains two bedrooms, a bathroom/washroom, and a separate toilet. The second floor features an open plan living area with a kitchen, dining area, and living room all contained in a single space. There’s also two small terraces, partly enveloped by the roof.

Throughout the home the timber post and beam structure is on show. It features some large, chunky floor joists visible from the ground floor, which are no doubt overkill but look great all the same. The beams are supported by a mix of concrete perimeter walls, and internal timber columns.

The floors are finished with a light wood, and the walls are mostly white. The overall effect is that of a contemporary, elegant home, and like most modern Japanese houses, a sense of calm seems to be instilled into the design.

For more Japanese houses check out the Hammock House by Uzu Architects, which features a space designed specifically for a hammock. Or, Takahashi Maki’s small, simple and functional house. See all Japanese houses.

Via Dezeen
Photos: Moca Architects