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A Private and Grand Live-Work Home in Tochigi for a Reader

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Shinichi Ogawa & Associates have designed a serenely private home with a high-ceilinged central living room based on a courtyard, in Tochigi, Japan.

Semi-opaque glass diffuses light into a courtyard that brings light to the tall central living room.

The taller central white cube houses a spacious double-height living room, while normal height is reserved for surrounding courtyards and remaining rooms.

The double-height ceilings in this great room at the centre of the house makes a grand space for entertaining.

The slice shows the internal plan of the smaller rooms encircling a central cube.

It’s possible to access to all of the rooms encircling the central living room.

Very low-profile doors exiting the main room to the kitchen and office contrast with the clearly announced entrance alcove.

The master bedroom suite can be accessed through the courtyard, or through a similarly understated door from the living room.

Courtyards at both sides bring daylight into each room, despite the apparently windowless exterior.

Opening off a second smaller courtyard at the back of the house, the bathroom enjoys a blissfully open space.

Full-sized floor-to-ceiling glazed doors that can be fully opened to the outdoor courtyard are only half this room’s extraordinary height.

A very intriguing design – for a client who loves to read, and desired a compact yet grand live-work space in downtown Tochigi – that was totally private.