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	Photos © Hiro Sakaguchi PLUS: Floor plan | Section

When a young couple sought land on which to build a new residence in midtown Tokyo, they found a recurring theme. Like so many metropolitan areas, real estate prices had soared as space decreased. The couple’s search for land resulted in a lot that was less than 646 square-feet. With their new purchase, they enlisted the help of Japanese architect Masaki Endoh.

Along with the client’s specifications, the lot’s shape--39 feet long, 15 feet wide--dictated the shape the house would take. "The couple desired bright and naturally lit indoor space," Endoh states, "they also wanted a type of space that had never been seen before." The Natural Wedge soon took shape. The 45-degree angle meets compliance with local height allowance and its angled and glazed northern façade allows for a maximum of natural light during the day.

Luckily, Endoh’s clients were enthusiastic to not only his creativity with space but also his experimentation with building materials. The shell of the Natural Wedge is constructed of a basic frame system of steel angles. The frame is then wrapped in glass, polyester and Gore-Tex. The polyester material acts as heat insulation and is manufactured to be durable, sag-resistant, and translucent. The polyester is placed between two sheets of glass – the internal and external glazing of the house. Endoh placed a Gore-Tex membrane between the external sheets of glass and the polyester layer. Gore-Tex, which is also translucent, acts as UV protection.

The slope of the house as well as the materials Endoh uses to wrap the house allows natural light to filter into the house. He also made certain that the light would flow through the different levels of the house without interruption. Endoh explains, "Light travels throughout the house because the Natural Wedge is created as a large space-lattice structure." He goes on to explain that at night, the house is lit by wall lamps and, due to its unusual skin, the building "illuminates like a lantern at night."

The couple now resides in the creatively shaped, four-story, 915 square-foot house. The stair entry into the Natural Wedge is through the carport and storage level. The stairs lead to the long open space of the kitchen, living, and dining areas. The master bedroom and full bath are located on the next level. At the tip of this triangular house, a spare room provides for a second bedroom. With Endoh’s creativity, a site with the potential to be dark and cramped house has, instead, resulted in an uncommonly light and airy residence.

By Randi Greenberg

Gross square footage:
915 sq. ft.

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