The Stacked House by Takashi Izumi is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2024 Bronze A' Design Award in Architecture, Building and Structure Design Competition Category.

BronzeArchitecture· 2024

The Stacked House

by Takashi Izumi

Client: Ishoudo Co.Ltd.

Bronze A' Design Award Winner in Architecture Category

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Colors

The Design

About The Stacked House

The Stacked is a wooden family house completed in Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan. The exterior resembles boxes stacked on top of each other, giving the building a distinct form within its residential area. Because the site is very close to the neighboring property, a courtyard was created and joined to the living room, forming an open and bright space while privacy is kept. Inside, the open living room and the Japanese-style room are arranged in harmony. High airtightness, strong insulation and a fully automatic air conditioning system support comfort through the seasons.

The Recognition

About the Bronze A' Design Award

The Stacked House is a Bronze A' Design Award winner, a highly prestigious recognition granted to outstanding designs distinguished by creativity, ingenuity, and astuteness. Bronze winners are amply skillful and strikingly creative artifacts that authenticate the vast experience, imagination, and resourcefulness of their designers. The Stacked House is expected to be a highly regarded, admired, and cherished object that is notably professional and innovative. This Bronze A' Design Award-winning design incorporates best practices in art, science, design, and technology, and is excellent for its attention to detail. The Stacked House splendidly satisfies needs, touches desires, charms feelings, and appeals to curiosity.

Image Analysis

Color Temperature: CoolSymmetry: PartialBackground: Top and Bottom

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: This house is characterized by its exterior which resembles boxes stacked on top of each other. Since the house is adjacent to the neighboring property a courtyard was created to integrate the living space with the living room, creating an open and airy space while ensuring privacy. The interior of the house is designed to harmonize with the open living room and the Japanesestyle room to make the Japanese feel at home.
Dimensions & Packaging: Site area 231.41 Square meter
Building area 165.69 Square meter
Structure Wood
Tags: Box, Japan, Japanesestyle, architecture, courthouse, house
Production Technology: Fully automatic air conditioning system
High airtightness and high insulation
Design Challenge: The boundary with the building next door is very close.
Privacy was needed.By creating a courtyard it was possible to provide light and privacy.
Research: We created a floor plan that allows family members to see each other at all times while providing privacy. We carefully surveyed the proposed site and studied the flow lines of　people and the way light enters the surrounding area. Since temperatures change with the seasons in Japan we pursued an ecological design by improving airtightness and insulation.
Inspiration: The goal is to utilize the functionality of the planned site to create an attractive residential landscape not only in terms of liveability but also in terms of design. The distinctive form is constructed with an emphasis on balancing the shape of the planned site with the interior space and the unique exterior gives a distinctive accent to the residential area.
Project Duration: Completed in Kurashiki Okayama in 2021
Operation Flow: We tested many times to determine how high and deep the walls could be placed in relation to the street and neighboring buildings to maintain privacy in the living room and patio.
We tested many times to determine how high and deep the walls could be placed to maintain the privacy of the living room and courtyard.We came up with ideas that would allow the client to live comfortably with his family while maintaining privacy.
Image Credits: Photographer Senichiro Nogami