HOUSES 101 | House of Trough

Tonight's HOUSES 101 is the House of Trough in Kato-gun, Hokkaido, Japan, which is designed by architect Jun Igarashi who focuses on the beauty of the interior more than exterior intricacy.

    The House of Trough was not coincidentally built like a square box.  With boring white houses and an industrial yard to the south, architect Jun Igarashi focused on the interior instead of looking outward.  Although dull on the exterior, this house has so much more to offer on the inside.



   Basically, his clients wanted "a large living space where they could relax and entertain."  So, Igarashi decided to look inward, and make a space that was "spacious" so that the clients would be pleased.  They didn't want their house to feel cluttered or cramped as well.  They wanted the rooms to be capacious, with not much furniture or decorations.  I can see why considering that the house is only 1,060 square feet.



    Because of the region's chilly climate, Igarashi decided to add something called a "windbreak room", which is "an extension to a house's entrance that keeps cold air out of its main body."  He then split the inside up into two main sections: one that extends north and one that extends south.

 

    The furniture was made using plywood, with not having much furniture it was less of a burden to buy the plywood.  Igarashi then installed "translucent white organdy curtains that are pulled across the inner edges of peripheral areas to enclose the main living spaces." 



    He also put white curtains over areas that were open to the outside,  (Specifically being the main living areas) so that others can see what is going on outside from numerous angles.  (If there is anything else than the occasional storm, considering they are by an industrial yard)


   
    There are also many catwalks in the house, where the members can walk along side one and see the "valley" below.  I'm guessing that could be a little dangerous with no rails, but that's okay.  If someone plummets down to the living area below it's their own fault.  It actually is relatively safe because Igarashi put very thin, wired ropes as guard rails.



    "For now, they enjoy life in their introverted residence that is hardly short on drama."  (and clutter, I must add)

Sources:
>> http://archrecord.construction.com/residential/hotm/2011/12/House-of-Trough.asp

References:
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