T-House, Kyoto
On a hill overlooking Kyoto this house had to negotiate some strict city planning regulations. But on the inside we could think freely. It is a static volume with various private spaces inserted. The public spaces form a single connected volume, with the main stairways sweeping through it all. In this way we could achieve an expansive and dramatic triple height living volume. The main living, dining, kitchen area is on the 1st floor but there is a 2nd living room on the 3rd floor, with the main bedroom bridging the void. The bathroom is left hanging on the second floor above the kitchen dining area. There is a lot of insulation behind the burnt Cedar cladding and underfloor heating with double glazed windows. This is a warm sunny home with a lot of attitude…
Located on a hill near World Heritage site Ninna-ji Temple, the home's exuberant geometry still complies with Kyoto's strict design codes.
Subtle volumes and soft lighting create a refined silhouette that respects the local architectural language.
A quiet blend of form, material, and regulation-driven restraint shapes the villa’s street-facing elevation.
From the first-floor terrace bath, the open-plan living area comes into view—with a white floating volume housing the bathroom above.
A sculptural, curved cantilever stair forms the heart of the living space—seen here from the reverse side, blending art and structure.
A sleek and open living-dining space topped with a windowed white volume—offering bathers a panoramic view of Kyoto.
A striking feature of the living room is this elegant curved staircase that floats in the triple height void at the center of the home.
The elevated bathroom and vanity space floats above the dining area, with lush greenery visible through generous glazing.
Law concrete, polished granite and mirrors are articulated by precise lighting
A dramatic stair framed by a curved steel wall leads to the children’s quarters—revealing another layer of architectural play.