Architectural Portfolio 2018-2023

PORTFOLIO Yamamoto Takehiro 2018 - 2023

dreams come true

PORTFOLIO Architecture Projects by Yamamoto Takehiro 2018 - 2023

CONTENTS This portfolio comprises a curated selection of works from my tenure at Sekisui House Co. and Hosei Uni. These projects have been chosen to showcase the breadth and diversity of my architectural career, spanning projects of varying scales and approaches. Throughout my professional journey, I have consistently pursued the creation of spaces that facilitate seamless transitions and enhance the quality of life for their inhabitants. The present compilation encapsulates the learnings gleaned from real-world architectural design projects.

1

Gran f omotesando Housing complex and shop Shibuya, Tokyo

2

FELISEED LILIA Housing complex Katsushika, Tokyo

3

KOWA west Housing complex Edogawa, Tokyo

4

KLIVES Housing complex Adachi, Tokyo

Gran f omotesando Jingumae, Shibuya Ward, Tokyo May, 2021 - July, 2022 Housing Complex, Shop Steel Framing 4 Floors Land area - 192.64 m2 Building area - 132.23 m2 Total floor area - 467.09 m2

There was once home to many samurai reside-nces, although their vestiges are no longer visi-ble. With the passage of time, this city has tran-sformed into a hub of culture, and Omotesando has emerged as a fashion epicenter, boasting numerous boutiques and salons.

I was tasked with designing a housing complex with a shop situated in the rear of Omote-sando Hills, the area's primary commercial district.

My client sought to construct a new building on a property inherited by their next generation. Given the limited space of a mere 190 square meters, we designed a building that maximizes every inch of available space, while adhering to a variety of constraints.

In this project, I placed a strong emphasis on compliance with regulations. Given the strict height restrictions and the need to meet interior fire safety requirements, a significant amount of time was devoted to addressing these challenges through careful planning and numerous discussions.

Front Facade

I designed the front elevation with a modern and Japanese style, incorporating gray tiles, black exterior walls, louvers, and deep eaves.

The overhangs on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th floors made the construction process challenging. However, I made a conscious effort to widen the windows and install an automatic door for the ground floor shop.

Height depends on road width Angle depends on use district

Ro ad n go dia al tio

ita

lim n

10m North side oblique line restriction

Height and Angle depends on use district

Road

Typical Limitation Diagram

Modifying the roof design to a piched shape

North side oblique line restriction

Road diagonal limitation is eased if this project adheres to the district's regulation

Road

Eased Limitation Diagram

Limitation Diagram Starting from the northern boundary line, these rest-rictions limit the effects of building shading. From the road boundary line, the limitations restrict the building height based on the width of the road.

However, in specific districts of Shibuya, the road dia-gonal limitations may be eased if the project adheres to the district's regulations, which require the use of only incombustible materials for interior bases and finishing, and a 500mm setback for the exterior wall from the road boundary line.

Evacuation Space

Room

Room

This plan use evacuation space as revolving space for bike users Bike space

Shop

2m Depends on total residential floor

Evacuation Space The Tokyo regulations stipulate that there must be an evacuation space in front of at least one window for each dwelling unit. In utilizing this space, I have designated it as a revolving space for bike users, while ensuring that it remains unobstructed to serve its original intended purpose.

Furthermore, leveraging this regulation, the corner of the site that cannot be built upon has been planned as a garden space to create an eye-catching feature from the approach space

Site Plan and Ground Floor Plan Blue formula is formula of north side oblique line restriction. And this plan has evacuation space ,that's marked up with blue lines.In the context of constructing a building, the client expressed a desire to maximize the size and ensure high profitability and stability. Accordingly, the design aimed to achieve maximum verticality while adhering to building height restrictions.

2nd and 3rd Floor Plan The 2nd and 3rd floors are configured with the same planning. Each floor consists of three units, of which two are intended for young single-family residents while the first is designed to accommodate a couple or family. I made my selection of units based on a comparison of area features and the balance of supply and demand.

Front Night View

The nighttime view presents a distinct contrast from that of the daytime, with the warm glow of the house lights emanating from the building's interior. The black outer wall and louvers blend seamlessly into the dusk, creating an elegant and sophisticated aesthetic.

By creating a cohesive design, the nighttime view has also become a beautiful scene.

2nd Floor One-bedroom Unit The bath and wash room in this one-bedroom unit on the 2nd floor is designed to meet the demands of individuals seeking to reside in this area and exudes a highend aesthetic. The inclusion of a bath and wash basin differentiates this room from other apartments in the vicinity. The living roomhas been designed with white doors, flooring, wallpaper, and kitchen to create a clean and spacious feel.

Feliseed Lilia Okudo, Katsushika Ward, Tokyo September, 2022 - September, 2023 Housing Complex Steel Framing 4 Floors Land area - 1129.07 m2 Building area - 578.87 m2 Total floor area - 2090.11 m2

This location is situated a 25-minute walk from the station, so it lacks convenience in terms of accessibility.

However, it has become a peaceful and livable residential area. Considering the fact that the client is in their 90s, their main focus was to pass down this land to the next generation. In this regard, they requested a plan for an apartment building that would maintain its competitiveness amid future market changes. The site area exceeds 1000 square meters, and the total floor area is 2100 square meters, making it a significant project. Despite the

North Facade

client's request, the project progressed within a short implementation and design period of three months. In this project, I particularly focused on the exterior design and the relationship between the courtya-rd and the lounge.

I contemplated how to create an exterior space within a large property and how to design the lounge while incorporating the outdoor space. Furthermore, I considered what kind of exterior design and appearance would be suitable for the neighborhood, taking into account the proper-ty's characteristics as a corner lot facing the sidewalk.

I determined the exterior design and selected materials accordingly.

Site Plan and Ground Floor Plan To the northern corner, extensive planting was planned along the western side facing the sidewalk, considering the city's landscape and creating a comfortable environment filled with greenery. Furthermore, planting was planned on the southern and eastern sides to ensure that greenery is visible from each dwelling. The approach to the entrance was designed to be accessible from the northern corner and the sidewalk, intentionally creating a path through the plantings.

2nd and 3rd Floor Plan The zoning primarily focuses on the south and east-facing units, while only 2 units are oriented towards the north.As mentioned earlier, special attention was given to storage capacity in the planning process. Specifically, we paid careful attention to the size of the washrooms and closets.

Units are arranged on both sides, with a central corridor serving as the comm-on area. In this arrangement, the presence of an inner courtyard has a significant impact on the overall spatial experience. Furthermore, by creating an alcove in front of the entrance, we can create a more hotellike ambiance.

Creating the lounge as an intermediary space to expand the courtyard outward

Section Diagram One notable feature is the void space where light penetrates, allowing residents on each floor to experience elements of the exterior even while in the common corridors.The first-floor lounge area is surrounded by outdoor spaces on both sides, incorporating elements such as landscaping stones. This cre-ates a sense of an intermediate zone where residents can enjoy a unique spatial experience. The visi-bility of the lounge area from the sidewalk serves as an advertisement for the property, showcasing a residence with a rich and inviting environment. By having such a lounge area and well-designed outdoor spaces, not only does it enhance the satisfaction of the residents, but it also contributes to acquiring new customers, increasing owner satisfaction, and improving the living environment for the local community.

Expressing the courtyard with stones

Expressing Japanese-style stone pavement with tiles

Lounge Diagram OA stone was placed in the center of the lounge space. In a previous project, a karesansui (dry landscape garden) design was used to express the landscape, but this time the stones were used to create a counterpart to the courtyard space. In addition, the floor design is based on the stone pavement found in the client's house, expressed in tiles.

Entrance & Lounge Space As you enter the entrance, you can see the courtyard straight ahead. I used landscape stones to shape the space and, at the same time, created an area where you can appreciate the shadows in the courtyard by lowering the hallway's lighting.

KOWA west Kitakoiwa, Edogawa Ward, Tokyo July, 2022 - April, 2023 Housing Complex Steel Framing 4 Floors Land area - 467.37 m2 Building area - 359.86 m2 Total floor area - 1307.04 m2

It is not a very large town, but it is a residential area where many houses line up for people who commute to the city center. Additionally, urban development is planned in the next 10 years, and it is expected that the town will develop. In such a town, we will create housing complex for singles, young couples, and married couples. The site for this project is located on the corner of a crossroad, just a one-minute walk from Keisei Koiwa Station. With a site area of nearly 500 square meters, we aim to maximize the building area and make effective use of the site while creating a rich environment by providing plenty of planting strips along the roadside. By improving the external environment through landscaping, we planned to enhance the value of the town. For this project, we planned to infuse creativity into the lounge space to give it a unique character, different from other housing complexes. In this project, I particularly focused on the design of the lounge. Due to the limitations on creating windows, I had to think about how to incorporate the outdoor space and how to create a sense of connection to the outdoors. I drew inspiration from traditional Japa-nese architecture and landscaping styles, adding my own interpretation to the design.

Site Plan and Ground Floor Plan The east side is particularly favorable for sunlight exposure. On the south side, there is a five-story office building that takes up the entire property, leaving no possibility of sunlight exposure. To accommodate this, the building was shifted towards the south side, leaving a space of around 2m on the west side for sunlight exposure.

A planting space was created near the entrance to the bike parking lot, providing a green stop that residents can enjoy when returning home by bicycle. Planting a lot of greenery on the north and east sides was also planned to im-prove the surrounding environment. A symbol tree, a cherry blossom tree, was planted in the northeast corner so that residents can experience the four seasons.

Expressing the wave and river with stones and sand

Expressing the mountain with stones

Expressing the moon and cloud with lights

Expressing the mountain with stones

Lounge Diagram I employed the traditional Japanese concept of "kare-sansui," which involves using stones to represent mountains or landscapes and gravel to create scenery. I aimed to create a space where one could still feel connected to nature even in an area without windows. By incorporating lighting into the interpretation of kare-sansui, I used stones to symbolize mountains, while lights represented the moon and clouds, thereby crafting a landscape within the lounge.

Chose wall built-in air conditioning units because it's inconspicuous

Based on the design of the set of staggered shelf

While providing a Japanese impression through louvers, it also conceals the air conditioner

Set Of Staggered Shelf Diagram To conceal the air conditioner, I opted for a design inspired by the traditional Japanese architectural style known as "shoin-zukuri" instead of decorative shelves. I combined it with the design of "chigaidana," which is a type of staggered or built-in shelf commonly found in Japanese interiors. This combination of elements created a Japanese-style ambiance with the incorporation of louvers.

Lounge Diagram I used floor level differences to spatially separate the hallway and lounge areas, and we also changed the texture of the flooring to cl-early distinguish between the different spaces. To prevent indirect lighting placed in the step portion from reflecting off the high-reflectance tiles used in the lounge area and becoming visible, I planned to use gravel directly under-neath the lighting to minimize reflection. I also planned for light to come down from the ceiling through the louvers in the lounge area. The part where the air comes out is designed as lou-vers, while the other parts are decorative shelves.

Lounge Space The lighting design for the lounge and hallway turned out beautifully.In this case, we took on the challenge of using only cove lighting and cornice lighting, without any downlights.Thanks to that, the light extends gently, creating a space where soft light flows along the louvers.

Community Drop Okudo, Katsushika Ward, Tokyo Hosei Uni. 2018-2019 Housing Complex, Shop, Public Space Finalist Works "Nishi-ga-Oka in Kita ward is an ordinary residential neighborhood you can find anywhere.

Its history as a residential area dates back to the reconstruction efforts after the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1928 when the governmental aid association (Dojyun-Kai) constructed recovery homes, forming the present-day blocks. However, within the existing blocks, as time has passed, the subdivision of properties has increased, resulting in smaller buildings lining up and creating an undesirable living environment in terms of ventilation, natural lighting, and evacuation. Simultaneously, traditional community ties and social interactions have dwindled.

Residents often no longer know their neighbors, leading to a noticeable decline in community cohesion.

Another issue concerns the working conditions of teachers in the school system. There is concern about excessive work hours beyond regular duties, insufficient teaching staff, and the burden placed on individual educators, all of which have been highlighted in recent news.

The challenges of property subdivision, declining community ties, and issues in the education system are not unique to this neighborhood but are shared across many regions in Japan.

In response, I have formulated design proposals using this neighborhood as a prototype to address these interconnected problems.

The proposed initiatives can be broadly categorized into three main areas. First, the externalization of school functions aims to alleviate the heavy workload of teachers and improve their working environment. Second, the rediscovery of community spaces acknowledges that while community bonds have weakened, they have not disappeared entirely.

Lastly, 'My Public' spaces aim to bridge the gap between the private and public spheres.

This plan encourages residents to develop a fondness for their neighborhood, understanding that small individual changes can accumulate to create significant community transformation."

And from this place, we hope that other residential areas facing similar challenges will undergo transformation, ultimately contributing to the improvement of the overall living environment in Japan.

Function Diagram Various school functions, such as libraries, gardens, after-school care programs, and home economics facilities, can be entrusted to local residents and made available within the neighborhood, utilizing vacant houses and underutilized land. This collaborative approach would connect children with the local community, acting as a bridge between them and their parents to foster a sense of community revival.

Function Diagram Exploring the neighborhood reveals the existence of small, often unnoticed, communities such as shops selling snacks, public baths, and laundromats. Buildings could be constructed on subdivided plots that expand the functions of these existing community cores while taking into account natural lighting, ventilation, and evacuation considerations. This would result in each block having its own distinct community core.

The diagram below illustrates how individuality extends from the community core, allowing the unique colors of each neighborhood to blend into the cityscape.

I aimed to consolidate these two memories and create a space where the city's memories and knowledge, as assets, can be shared with the next generation.

My Public Diagram To ensure that the functions extended from the school to the city do not clash with the residential spaces, we have introduced "My Public" as an intermediary area. This isn't just a simple semi-public space; it's a space that residents themselves create, allowing their individuality to shine through. For instance, I placed chairs and tables in the front yard for anyone to use, and decorated with plants to create a green pathway.

I aim to create an entrance for residents to engage with the neighborhood within their comfort zone.

Site A Site Plan and Ground Floor Plan I aim to create a gathering place for the residents of the neighborhood by incorporating additional spaces such as a laundry area, cafe, and DIY space around Fuji no Yu, a public bathhouse serving as the community hub.

2nd Floor Plan The second floor features an open space with a plaza-like ambiance, including a plant area by residents as their "My Public" space, as well as an open area with chairs and tables.

Section Diagram The building is designed in a bridge-like structure, creating a layered appearance when viewed from the street. Furthermore, I've altered the spatial qualities both vertically and horizontally, with the first floor being public, the second floor being semi-public (My Public), and the rooftop becoming a private space.

Site B Site Plan and Ground Floor Plan We have expanded the functions of a shop called "Haruki Pan" to serve as the community core by adding facilities like a library and a common kitchen. We've entrusted after-school care to the shop, creating a place for children in this area.

2nd Floor Plan The second floor is a private space except one household. The part where I have extended the floor is dedicated solely to the residents as their "My Public" space. This plan demonstrates that "My Public" is limited to specific purposes and for specific people.

Section Diagram By renovating existing houses and altering their functions, it becomes easier to integrate into the neighborhood without significantly altering the landscape. Unlike Site A, which is a new construction, this location utilizes the existing buildings, providing a more alley-like space for enjoyment.

Axonometric Drawing A plan where the cityscape remains unchanged, yet rich spaces expand within the residential neighborhood. In the midst of the growing issue of vacant houses, I think it can provide an option that doesn't involve constructing entirely new buildings.

After Word At Sekisui House Co., I was responsible for overseeing all aspects of design, including fundamental design, detailed design, landscape planning, and interior design, all within a single role. This demanded a diverse skill set. Furthermore, the planning of all rental housing projects was undertaken in collaboration with our group company, Sekisui House Real Est-ate. We considered area marketing, the occupancy status of neighboring properties, and used these factors to determine the unit sizes.

Particularly noteworthy in my architectural career here was the opportunity to conceive designs from scratch, right from the start. This afforded me the opportunity, even as a junior architect, to spearhead the most substantial project within the department on my own. I aim to leverage this experience as I advance to the next stages of my career.

Regarding my decision to commence my career with this company, it was rooted in my architectural philosophy, which centers around the idea that "the fundamental and minimal unit of architecture is the home; homes shape neighborhoods, and neighborhoods shape cities. By altering homes, we alter lives, transform neighborhoods, and influence cities."

Reflecting on this perspective, I contemplated whether absorbing insights from the most renowned entity in the residential construction industry was feasible. Consequently, I have made this my starting point.

During my university years, I have focused on spatial design and architectural planning.

What I held particularly dear were "light, sequence, and sense of place (local identity)."

I emphasized these aspects to create enriching spatial experiences in my designs.

I intend to uphold this philosophy and engage in diverse architectural genres, including residential, public facilities, and commercial spaces. My aspiration remains the continuous exploration of creating spaces that offer users a sense of comfort.

I appreciate your reading my portfolio all the way through and sincerely hope to continue adding new works to this portfolio together with you in the future.