Iron Architecture, Building and Structure Design · 2024

The Sliced House

by Yukihiro Nakagawa

A' Design Award 2024 Iron Winner in Architecture, Building and Structure Design
Awarded April 15, 2024
CLIENT: MASTER CRAFT Co.Ltd
Estimated Number of Design Views: 10,801
Verification code 851815FE6B · Verify this award

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About The Sliced House

The Sliced is a compact house built in Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture, Japan. The design removes wasted space and increases family and storage space. The living room sits at the centre of the plan and is visible from the front door, so the children's rooms are reached through the living room. Direct access is also given to the dining room, the kitchen and the bathroom. The first floor is cut at an angle from two directions, and reinforcing wood keeps the wooden structure strong during earthquakes. Windows frame views of nature and bring in daylight.

Press Kit

Unique Properties: The client's request was for a compact house, eliminating any wasted space while increasing the family and storage space. We designed the living room to be the central gathering area of the house, visible immediately after opening the front door. This means that the children cannot go to their rooms without passing through the living room. We also ensured that the living room provided instant access to the dining room kitchen and bathroom.
Dimensions & Packaging: Site area 198.61 square metre
Total floor area 100.74 square metre
Structure Wooden
Tags: house, cheese, japan, Architecture, nature
Production Technology: To ensure the building's strength wasn't compromised, special care was taken while cutting the first floor at an angle from two directions. Additionally, reinforcing wood was incorporated into the design to ensure the coexistence of both design and strength. This is particularly important in Japan, where earthquakes are frequent and buildings must be designed to withstand seismic activity.
Design Challenge: Due to budget constraints, siding was used in areas not visible to the public instead of finishing all exterior walls with mortar.

Designing structures to withstand frequent large earthquakes in Japan is a major challenge.
Project Duration: It was constructed in June 2022 in Bizen City, located in Okayama Prefecture Japan.
Operation Flow: The housekeeping lines are designed in a compact and organized manner, which allows the residents to live functionally and efficiently.
Research: Creating color schemes that blend well with natural surroundings and ensuring privacy from the surrounding areas.
Inspiration: The house is simple but unique, looking like a cut up block of cheese from a cartoon. It is as if you cut a piece of cheese piece and walk inside.The windows provide a view of nature which changes with the seasons. Other windows let in light and the building is designed ecologically requiring no electricity during the day.
Image Credits: Photographer Senichiro Nogami