Lap and Wrap: A Harmonious Blend of Privacy and Openness

Architect Hatsuo Morimoto's Ingenious U-Shaped House

Privacy in residential design often comes at the expense of openness, but not in the case of "Lap and Wrap," a project that challenges this norm. Designed by the visionary Hatsuo Morimoto, the house is strategically positioned in a U-shape along the roadside, ensuring its interiors remain unseen by passersby. This clever arrangement, coupled with the site's natural slope, elevates the building's mass, resulting in a striking, horizontally elongated façade.

What sets "Lap and Wrap" apart is its ingenious use of the retaining wall and building foundation. Morimoto's design philosophy is evident in the slanted foundation, which not only provides structural integrity but also adds a distinct aesthetic. The outer wall, a continuous belt-like overlap, is devoid of windows on the exterior, yet the garden side is a different story. Here, numerous windows and eaves blur the line between indoors and outdoors, fostering a seamless living environment.

The materials used in "Lap and Wrap" are as innovative as its design. The overlapping outer wall is constructed from recycled paper pulp and coffee grounds, a nod to sustainable practices. The living space, confined to a single floor, extends under the eaves, connecting fluidly with the garden. The inclusion of a fully openable glass sunroom further enhances the interplay between the home's interior and exterior spaces.

Technical specifications reveal the project's scale: a 401m2 site with a 138m2 floor area, all contained within a single-story structure combining reinforced concrete and wood. The design's keywords—architecture, house, wooden, courtyard, single-story house, Japanese—reflect its essence and cultural context.

Functionally, "Lap and Wrap" is a response to the challenges posed by the irregular site and residential land development regulations. By maximizing the building's footprint along the road, Morimoto returned the majority of the site to the courtyard, a testament to the project's thoughtful spatial planning. The building's interaction with the intersecting road's height difference is a showcase of structural and aesthetic ingenuity.

The project's journey began in Nagoya in October 2018, with construction starting three years later and reaching completion in September 2022. It stands as a testament to Morimoto's research-driven approach, addressing the complexities of urban construction on uneven terrain while prioritizing the client's lifestyle needs.

Overcoming the site's undulating terrain and regulatory constraints, "Lap and Wrap" is a triumph of architectural creativity and technical prowess. The design's intellectual property is protected under copyright (c) moKA design, ensuring the originality of Morimoto's vision remains intact. This innovative approach to residential architecture has rightfully earned "Lap and Wrap" the Bronze in the A' Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award in 2024, celebrating its contribution to enhancing quality of life and pushing the boundaries of design.