TAKATINA Black Box House: All photos by Mikiko Kikuyama – Courtesy of Takatina.

15 miles away from Tokyo, American studio TAKATINA completed the Black Box house for an international fashion buyer and his family. An elevated dark monolite wrapped by ink black metal cladding encases luminous aerial spaces inspired by a New York loft and a private garden.

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Inspired by Carl Andre’s minimalist art, the two story high monolithic volume and plane creates a geometric composition to organize a public first floor, a private second floor, garden and parking space. Interior space extends beyond its volume with this careful fenestration arrangement and enjoys play of light while creating a barrier from the suburban landscape.

The Black Box House creates an introspective microcosmos rejecting the surrounding typical Japanese suburban scenery which is characterised by light coloured stucco houses with roadside windows covered by curtains.

The black industrial galvanium panel commonly used for factory and warehouse was erected to cover this simple volume without any ornamentation to meet the budget and client’s affection for machine-like aesthetics. The building height was coordinated with maximum panel size to eliminate horizontal panel joint. Insertion of un-ornamented polished concrete plinth and freestanding wall completes the exterior composition of the metal box.

An open space is reflected on the first floor loft space features a 3.35m ceiling height with exposed wood framing. The palette of white walls, polished concrete, dark stained exposed wood framing creates a calm contrast within the space. A custom folded wood stair floats weightlessly within the space. Iconic design furniture and lightings reflect the client’s transcultural interest.

The second floor, covered in walnut hardwood flooring, has a more domestic atmosphere with modest ceiling height and comprises the study, master bedroom, children’s bedrooms and bathroom.

Olive green canvas drapery was installed with a hidden track to create a flexible space arrangement in the children’s bedroom and study area for future modification. Custom study desk with iron leg was carefully placed in front of the large picture window to overlook the mountain view.

All photos by Mikiko Kikuyama – Courtesy of Takatina.