Continuous Plate House 2.0: A Renovated Residence with a Unique Design

Residence Renovation

The Continuous Plate House 2.0, designed by Ryumei Fujik and Yukiko Sato, is a remarkable example of a renovated residence that showcases a unique and innovative design. The renovation primarily focused on the first floor of the house, which was completed 18 years ago. The design involves folding a plate and inserting a rectangular box made of concrete to provide structural support. The exterior of the box is finished with concrete cast in cedar board formwork, creating a visually striking texture that resembles wood, despite being made of concrete. To enhance the design concept, the entire kitchen area inside the box is covered with a wooden finish, adding warmth and elegance to the space.

One of the key challenges of the renovation was transforming the existing kitchen area into a versatile space that could be used for various purposes, not just for breakfast. To meet this demand, the food storage and corridors were eliminated, creating a single-room width space. The sink was also changed from a wall-mounted type to an island type, making the kitchen unit the focal point of the room. As a result, the renovated space has been transformed into a calm and cozy family room, perfect for both everyday activities and entertaining guests.

The realization of the design involved the use of spruce Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) panels, imported from Austria, to cover the kitchen area. These panels not only provide a visually appealing and natural aesthetic but also offer structural strength and durability.

The dimensions of the kitchen area in the Continuous Plate House 2.0 are 3.2 meters in width, 2.4 meters in height, and 7 meters in depth, providing ample space for cooking, dining, and socializing.

The Continuous Plate House 2.0 is a testament to the designers' ingenuity and creativity in overcoming design challenges. The original project, Continuous Plate House 1.0, aimed to address the issue of heavy snowfall and how to design structures that can withstand its impact. The designers opted for a flat roof design, inspired by research that suggested snow does not accumulate easily on flat roofs without parapets. This decision was made in 1999 and has been incorporated into both versions of the house.

The Continuous Plate House 2.0 has received recognition for its exceptional design. It was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in the Interior Space, Retail, and Exhibition Design category in 2020. This prestigious award is bestowed upon designs that demonstrate outstanding creativity, resourcefulness, and technical skills. The Continuous Plate House 2.0 exemplifies the integration of art, science, design, and technology, contributing to improvements in quality of life and making the world a better place.