26 Sustainable Environments
Sambuichi Architects,
Sloping North House, Yamaguchi, Japan
e house reconsiders the value of leftover
or undesirable land, drawing from it a rich
living experience integrated with the site.
Building the home on an extra tract of land
on a north-facing slope in a new housing
estate saved the owner a considerable sum;
however, the contextual and natural aspects
of the site were valuable, as the surrounding
area is naturally wooded, with views of the
Seto Inland Sea to the east and the Chugoku
mountains to the north.
Site Specificity
27
Above e roof slope of 11:18 was deter-
mined by the incline of the natural terrain
and the architectural requirements of main-
taining adequate light, ventilation, and heat.
e structure of the house is concrete, partly
underground with a raised roof plane that al-
lows light in along the four sides and through
a roof window.  e building solves the per-
ceived negative siting condition by working
with the landscape and environment rather
than against it. Forgoing high-tech products
and relying on natural conditioning methods
kept the project economical as well.
28 Sustainable Environments
north south
Above e house was built for a family of
four, with private spaces on the lower levels
progressing to the common spaces on the
upper level.  is organization refl ects the
character of the site, with the more open and
distant views at the top of the slope. Living
areas are located toward the edge of the slope
with utilities in back.
Opposite An opening in the center of the
north incline defi nes the small dining area
and alleviates the severity of the steep pitch.
e roof seems to fl oat above the fl oor due
to the continuous band of glass around the
four sides of the home and the near identical
nish of the fl oor and ceiling planes. From
within the house, the lack of fl oor-to-ceiling
glazing never interferes with the sense of the
environment outside.  e open interior is
divided only in a few places, with full-height
glass partitions, to maintain the fl ow of
space, light, and air.
Site Specificity
29
Above Two interior levels in the house
allow for views into the woods and above
the tree canopy. Although the house is ex-
cavated into the hillside, the roof window
allows for a feeling of being in the treetops,
as it frames the view to the mountains.  e
wood fi nish of the ceiling wraps around the
sides of the opening to create a continuous
surface.
30 Sustainable Environments

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