Arc V House

Seiji Takahashi · CLIENT: Kiryu Atelier＆T Architects

Arc V is a house designed for two generations of one family at the foot of a hill with ancient burial mounds and castle ruins. The residence is formed by two independent white volumes placed in a symmetrical V shaped arrangement. The geometry directs the view toward the historical hillside. A central void between the volumes works as a courtyard and a shared approach, giving privacy to each household while keeping a visual connection. Black metal and exposed concrete mark the entrance. A shared family room joins the two wings.

Press Kit

Unique Properties

The design features two independent units for the parent and child generations, arranged in a symmetrical V-shaped configuration. This layout directs the perspective vanishing point toward the historical hill in the background. The central void between the two units functions as a courtyard and approach, reconciling the opposing requirements of individual privacy and shared familial presence within a multi-generational home.

Dimensions & Packaging

Site area　785.45m2
gross building area　493.49m2
covered area　369.9m2

Tags

Architecture, two-family residence,modern architecture, concrete

Production Technology

Materiality plays a crucial role in defining the narrative of "thresholds". At the approach, black metal and exposed concrete walls reminiscent of castle gates create a psychological boundary between public and private realms. In contrast, the white volumes of the living spaces symbolize the lightness of modern life. These volumes appear to "float" above the weight of history, embodying a vivid contrast between the past and the present.

Design Challenge

The primary architectural challenge was to reconcile the site’s inherent historical weight with the conflicting requirements of a multi-generational program: the necessity for individual privacy and the desire for a shared familial presence. This was resolved through a V-shaped configuration that generates a "central void." Functioning as both a courtyard and a communal approach, this interstitial space provides spatial autonomy for each household while maintaining a mediated connection between the two generations.

At the structural vertex where the wings converge, a shared family room serves as a critical generational intersection, embodying the narrative of familial continuity. While each household maintains independent living quarters accessed via separate entrances from the shared courtyard, this central node functions as the primary interface for communal activity and guest reception. The resulting hybrid indoor-outdoor buffer zone allows for versatile programming including use as a social space or a home office without compromising the privacy of the individual residential units.

Project Duration

The project began in July 2023 in a regional city in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, and was completed in December 2025.

Operation Flow

The Arc V House is a residence for two families located at the base of a hill containing 1600 year old burial mounds and 500 year old castle ruins. Residents approach the home through a gate made of black metal and concrete that establishes a boundary between the public street and the private interior. Upon entering, inhabitants move through a central courtyard that serves as a shared approach for both households. The house is divided into two symmetrical white volumes arranged in a V shape to provide privacy for the parent and child generations while maintaining a visual connection across the void. At the center where these two wings meet, the families interact in a shared family room that functions as a common space. Inside their individual wings, family members use separate living and dining areas on the first floor. On the second floor, the parent generation utilizes a tatami room and a study, while the child generation occupies a separate wing with bedrooms and an additional study area. Large openings in the architecture direct the view of the inhabitants toward the historical landscape of the hill. During the evening, residents experience the house as a source of light that illuminates the hillside, creating a visual link between the modern household and the history of the site.

Research

The architectural process began with an investigation into the history of the city and the surrounding site. This research was conducted because the interaction between a building and its environment is of primary importance. Approximately 1600 years ago, this location was a sacred area where burial mounds known as Kofun were built for kings. Many burial mounds are preserved on the hill situated at the back of the project site. The memory of people selecting and protecting this land as a special place remains present in the topography. The name Torideyama originates from a fort that once existed here for samurai to protect the town. This area is also linked to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the leader who unified the nation 500 years ago. The strong martial culture of Nishio Castle created the framework of this city. This architecture was designed to honor the deep history of the land.

Inspiration

This two-family residence stands at the foot of a hill rich with multi-layered historical strata, where 1,600-year-old ancient burial mounds and 500-year-old warring-states castle ruins rest. The V-shaped configuration directs the perspective toward the sacred hills behind while harmonizing the conflicting needs of privacy and family connection, thus completing a narrative of familial continuity.

Image Credits

All photo © ToLoLo studio

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