House IM: A Box-Shaped Flexible Residence

Unleashing the Potential of Design

The inspiration for House IM came from the client's desire for a home that could serve as both a gallery space and a flexible living environment. The designers aimed to create a residence that could fulfill these requirements while maintaining a high level of quality and cost-effectiveness.

One of the standout features of House IM is its structural design. Built as a conventional wooden construction on a flat stage-like foundation, the house is supported by outer walls and columns that enclose a central courtyard. This innovative approach allows the client to easily redesign the large one-room space to suit their changing needs, whether it be as a gallery, individual rooms, or a space for raising children.

The realization of House IM involved the designers' meticulous attention to detail. They designed all the furniture, storage, and even a special stainless steel lighting fixture to maintain the purity of the overall design. The use of continuous windows at the top of the walls and a large wooden opening for the courtyard further enhances the sense of openness and connection to the surrounding environment.

House IM stands at a height of 4 meters and has a box-shaped footprint of 10 by 10 meters. The exterior walls feature a mottled finish in a cloud motif, creating a visually striking facade. High windows are strategically placed around the building, allowing natural light to flood the interior and bringing the house closer to nature.

Inside, the interior is divided by a 1.9-meter high blindfold wall and furniture, creating a gentle separation between spaces without completely isolating them. The result is a one-room space of approximately 100 square meters, where the view beyond the high windows seamlessly blends with the sky.

The construction of House IM took place in Takasaki City, Gunma, Japan, starting in January 2011 and concluding in December 2012. Throughout the project, the designers faced various challenges, including the need to create a highly safe structure with a redesignable floor plan, all while adhering to a limited budget. Through innovative solutions such as the stage-like foundation and the development of a new system of removable columns and interior walls, they successfully realized House IM as a box-shaped flexible residence.

House IM has garnered recognition for its exceptional design. In 2018, it was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in the Architecture, Building, and Structure Design category. This prestigious accolade celebrates designs that demonstrate outstanding creativity, resourcefulness, and technical skill, contributing to improvements in quality of life.

House IM, with its unique blend of functionality, flexibility, and artistic expression, stands as a testament to the power of design to transform living spaces and enhance everyday life.