界隈を作り出す明るいモクサン

根津駅から言問通りを歩き、谷中霊園に入る手前にとても不思議な桜の並木道があります。そこは車の通れる道なのですが、道路としては少し広く、駐車場のようでもあり、でも車はあまり通りません。桜の木に包まれたこの道を、周りに住む人たちは自分の椅子を出して庭のように使います。子どもたちも遊び場として自転車やボールを持って集まってきます。少し幅の広いこの道には、ゆるくやわらかな時間が流れているのがとても印象的でした。

そんな桜の並木道から一本入った路地にこの家は建っています。間口二間半にも満たない細長い敷地は、隣家がぎりぎりまで建て迫り、谷底のように三方が塞がれていました。ここで私たちは、狭小地に建つ住宅に求められるスケールを少しずつ広げてみようと考えました。

車が収まる駐車ピロティを少し持ち上げます。すると光が奥まで流れ込み、風がふわりと抜け始めます。持ち上げられた２階の床は室内に断面という動きをもたらします。次に床と床を繋ぐ階段の幅を少し広げます。するとそこがベンチのように見えてきます。階段に座って遠くの景色を見ながら本を読むと楽しそうです。最後に窓を少し大きく拡げてみます。すると窓のそばが外のように明るくあたたかな場所へと変わっていきます。ぽかぽかの陽の光の下、ハンモックに揺られながら昼寝をしたら気持ちよさそうです。

こうして住宅が持つ機能が少しずつゆるめられ、建物がゆるやかに開かれていきます。幅の広い桜の並木道のように、この家が周りとやわらかく繋がり、明るくのびやかな建築となっていくことを期待しています。

A Bright Wooden House That Creates a Sense of Neighborhood

Walking along Kototoi Street from Nezu Station, just before reaching Yanaka Cemetery, one encounters a rather unusual cherry tree-lined street. Although cars can pass through, the street is slightly wider than an ordinary road, almost resembling a parking area, yet very few cars actually use it. Beneath the canopy of cherry trees, local residents bring out their own chairs and make use of the street as though it were their garden. Children also gather with bicycles and balls, turning it into a playground. We were particularly struck by the gentle, unhurried rhythm of life that unfolds along this slightly wider street.

The house stands in a narrow alley just off this cherry tree-lined street. Its long, slender site, less than 4.5 meters wide, is tightly enclosed by neighboring buildings on three sides, almost like the bottom of a valley. Here, we sought to gradually expand the dimensions of the architectural elements typically found in a house on such a confined site.

First, we raised the parking pilotis slightly. As a result, daylight begins to penetrate deep into the site, and a gentle breeze flows through. The elevated second-floor slab also introduces a dynamic sectional quality to the interior.

Next, we widened the staircase connecting the floors just a little. Suddenly, the stairs begin to resemble a bench. Sitting there with a book, looking out toward the distant landscape, seems like a delightful way to spend an afternoon.

Finally, we enlarged the windows slightly. The spaces beside them begin to transform into bright, warm places that feel almost outdoors. Taking a nap in a hammock, gently swaying beneath the warm sunlight, seems wonderfully inviting.

In this way, the conventional functions and dimensions of a house are gradually loosened, allowing the building to open itself gently to its surroundings. Like the wide cherry tree-lined street nearby, we hope this house will establish soft connections with its neighborhood, becoming a bright, open, and expansive place to live.