© Jan Bitter

(扬·斯泰特)

架构师提供的文本描述。这座紧凑型的私人住宅坐落在东京密集的广袤地带内，位于西-阿扎布-一个以狭窄街道和传统的低矮房屋为特征的社区-在春天樱花树开始盛开的时候，就在一个公园旁边。它的136平方米的面积由五个水平划分的空间组成，每个空间由一个微小的雕塑螺旋楼梯连接，考虑到房子的脚印，它允许在其亲密的范围内有类似阁楼的空间。超大的窗户点缀着房子，每扇窗户都有两层玻璃；一层是透明的，一层是用同样的浮雕玻璃包裹的。这些超大的窗户，有两层玻璃，可以无限地重新配置，以调节日光的内部流动。

Text description provided by the architects. This compact private residence is nestled within the dense expanse of Tokyo, in Nishi-Azabu—a neighborhood characterized by narrow streets and traditional low-rise houses—which borders a park heavily visited during the spring, when the city’s cherry trees begin to bloom. Its 136-square-meter area consists of five horizontally divided spaces, each connected by a minuscule sculptural spiraling staircase that, given the footprint of the house, allows for loft-like spaces within its intimate confines. Oversized windows punctuate the house, each with two layers of glazing; one is transparent and one is of the same relief glass that wraps the façade. These oversized windows, with their dual layers of glazing, can be countlessly reconfigured, to regulate the interior flow of daylight.

 © Jan Bitter

(扬·斯泰特)

房屋窗户的透明玻璃和浮雕玻璃都在轨道上滑动，其宽度是每个窗口的两倍，可以畅通无阻地观看。它们还延伸到地板上，以确保房屋能够对路过的街道生活作出反应。当关闭时，他们把房子伪装成一种亮丽的纹理。在一楼，其中一扇窗户作为主要入口，滑动打开，露出厨房。每一层都有一个不同的程序：最底层由储藏室和技术空间组成；下面的两间卧室，透过横跨整栋房子的银色窗户，在街道上透着阳光；厨房和餐厅占据一楼；起居室在第一层；最上面的一间主套房，有一套木制的松木。

Both the transparent and relief glass of the house’s windows slides on tracks, which extend to double the width of each, for unobstructed views. They also extend to the floor, to ensure that the house remains responsive to passing street life. When closed, they cloak the house within an iridescent texture. On the ground floor, one of these windows serves as the main entry, and slides open to reveal the kitchen. Each level has a different program: the lowermost consists of storage and technical spaces; the lower two bedrooms, permeated by daylight via sliver windows that span the full length of the house, at street level; the kitchen and dining room occupy the ground floor; the living room the first; and the uppermost a master suite, with a wooden ofuro.

 © Jan Bitter

(扬·斯泰特)

主卧室上有一个小露台，但是相对于房子的大小来说，它是很大的。它的东北墙是由相同的纹理玻璃组成的，遮住了房子的窗户，除了后面没有一层透明的玻璃，因为露台是完全开放的外部元素。当收回时，一个无栏杆的景观突然出现在公园。当关闭时，视野受到阻碍，这内向的露台，并在这个公开暴露的水平的房子的隐私。相反，露台的西南墙也是房子质感的外墙的顶峰，在那里创造了一个剪裁，为主套房引入充足的室内日光。在阳台的墙壁上留下了一个空洞，这反过来又创造了一个封闭的外部空间，只有在天空的屋顶。

A small terrace is attached to the master bedroom, yet it is expansive, relative to the house’s size. Its northeastern wall is composed of the same textured glazing that shields the house’s windows, except that there is no layer of transparent glass behind it, as the terrace is completely open to the exterior elements. When retracted, a balustradeless view toward the park suddenly appears. When closed, the view is obstructed, which introverts the terrace and imparts privacy within this publicly exposed level of the house. Conversely, the southwestern wall of the terrace is also the pinnacle of the house’s textured façade, into which a cut was created to introduce ample interior daylight to the master suite. The cut left a void in that wall of the terrace, which in turn created an enveloping exterior space, roofed only by the sky.

 © Jan Bitter

(扬·斯泰特)

 © Jan Bitter

(扬·斯泰特)

由于房子的位置很细，它的南面形成了一个褶皱，使它从地面的街道边界上撤退；它为智能汽车提供了足够的空间。从远处看，这座房子巧妙地大胆地融入了它的环境。当所有的窗户都被打开，或者几扇窗户都是开着闭着的时候，房子就会变形，向社区和居民展示它千变万化的特性。从结构上讲，它是由混凝土组成的，按照当地严格的规定是抗震的。A‘House位于东京的中心地带，有可能转向城市，或者退到自己的位置，所有的配置都是多种多样的；A’House是一个独特的私人住宅，与其传统环境不断对话，这同时也预示着未来的发展。

Due to the house’s slender site, a fold was created along its southern façade, angled so that it retreats from the street-site boundary at ground level; it provides just enough space for a Smart car. Subtly bold when seen from afar, the house blends into its context. And when all of its windows are opened, or when a combination of several are open and closed, the house morphs to expose its kaleidoscopic qualities to the neighborhood and its residents. Structurally, it is composed of concrete, and is earthquake proof in accordance with stringent local regulations. Centrally sited within Tokyo, with the possibility to turn toward the city, or retreat into itself, all in multiple configurations; A’ House is an idiosyncratic private residence engaged in a continual dialogue with its traditional context, which simultaneously anticipates the future.

Architects Wiel Arets Architects

Location Minato, Japan

Category Houses

Project Team Wiel Arets, Satoru Umehara, Alex Kunnen

Collaborators Jörg Lüthke, Jean-Jacques Jungers, Sadamu Shirafuji, Ilze Paklone

Area 136.0 sqm

Project Year 2014

Photographs Jan Bitter