The eaves above the openings at the four corners of the building jut out at angles, and the gabled roof—clad in black sheet metal—stands out in a residential area characterized by tiered landscaping. This building is a proposal for a home that rises like a helmet (KABUTO), preserving an open space where families can spend time in peace, seemingly floating above a green hill that evokes memories of the sloped terrain.
The site is located in a hilly area of the Holocene plateau that stretches from Tougoku-san, the highest point in Nagoya City. The surrounding neighborhood is a residential area built along a descending tiered landscape facing south. Legal constraints for the site include the requirement to maintain green space along the southern and western roads (with a vegetation coverage rate of 30%) and setbacks from the property lines—2 meters from the south and west, and 1 meter from the north and east. The building coverage ratio is limited to 40%.
Given this 40% coverage limit, it was not feasible to secure the desired floor area with a single-story structure. Excluding on-site parking, the design places the building across two levels, taking advantage of the site's varying elevations and its position on a corner lot that connects two different levels.
The design integrates the site's uneven terrain into the interior layout, designating the upper level as the ground floor (first floor) and employing a split-level configuration with floors staggered by half-levels both above and below. By placing the parking area on the upper level, the design ensures barrier-free access, while the interior layout minimizes vertical movement—considering visits from elderly parents and the future aging of the homeowners.
The aim was to create a sense of duality: maintaining a connection with the neighborhood while preserving a private, enclosed living environment. To achieve this, excavated soil was reused to form a greened, sloped embankment that rises to waist height, partially concealing the lower exterior walls. This green buffer acts as a soft barrier, making it difficult for passersby to approach directly, while still establishing a nuanced relationship between the home and the surrounding community.
At times, large windows open onto terraces or a north-facing garden, allowing for visual and spatial interaction between residents and the neighborhood—striking a balance between openness and privacy.
The dining kitchen and living area on the first floor, along with the children’s rooms on the second floor, are unified beneath a gabled roof. This creates a spacious, studio-like atmosphere with a high ceiling, maximizing the sense of openness and allowing the space to be shared with guests comfortably. The half-basement floor consolidates more private functions—such as wet areas, storage, and the master bedroom—into a compact zone that minimizes internal partitions, even among family members.