A Structure that Inspirits the Environment
The client from Tokyo, moved to Hokkaido to explore its rich reservoir of nature and local ingredients. A 2x4 framed house situated at a corner of a park in Sapporo was to be renovated into an open residence that includes a large kitchen, a workspace, and a library. Simply transforming an airtight, well-insulated, robust 2x4 structure into a space of openness was not feasible. Therefore, a new kitchen extension was built on the yard facing the park, articulating both the open nature of the park and the robustness of the 2x4 framing. Acting as the residence’s sunroom as well as a pseudo-park pavilion, the extension revitalizes both the home and the park. The juxtaposition of different kinds of architecture lets residents enjoy the drastic changes seen in the northern climate.