Motoyasu Muramatsu Architects

Approximately 4km southeast of central Wakayama City, a linen factory and its owner's residence coexist on a north-south site divided by a public road running through its centre. My remit encompassed the landscaping plan surrounding the newly completed residence and the design of a storage building required to the east of the house, for which the approach had yet to be finalised. This small storehouse forms part of the overall scheme.
The site for the small storehouse is centrally located within the entire plot, including the factory. It occupies a trapezoidal plot sandwiched between the existing main house and the factory warehouse, with its north-western side bordering the public road. In the layout plan, considering that the small storehouse would be built adjacent to a wall facing rooms of differing natures – such as the entrance hall, bathroom, and kitchen – a bright semi-external space was created. This space, set at a suitable distance from the main house, allows soft light to filter through wooden louvers. Furthermore, glass screens divide the space, ensuring each function has its appropriate location.
The small storehouse required a form that maximised available space within the site constraints while also enriching the approach to the main house's entrance. Consequently, the building adopted a plan shape resembling an pressing iron or a boat.
While exploring sectional forms, the naturally derived boat-bottom roof proved optimal for this structure. Supported by steel columns, this roof appears to rise and float above the walls. Both the walls and roof are constructed using structural timber members with a basic cross-section of 55×170mm. For the curved sections of the single-pitch roof, fan-shaped members of the same dimensions are used at the eaves. The entire structure is built using just these two types of members. The exterior walls are clad in matt, charcoal-black titanium alloy panels, evoking the appearance of industrial buildings or traditional storehouses.
Although initially conceived without a specific purpose beyond storing “things”, the building was planned to serve multiple functions: as a place accumulating the memories of its inhabitants, transcending the visible; and as a tranquil retreat within the busy life of its owner and client. It is hoped this small structure will remain the face of the main house, the linchpin of the entire site including the factory, and continue to be a small boat propelling the prosperity of this home.

Primary Use: Storage Annex (Study, Warehouse)
Scale: Single storey
Structure: Timber frame
Site Area: 1,770 m²
Building Footprint: 38.0 m² (Annex)
Total Floor Area: 23.5 m² (Annex)
Completion Date: December 2002