SKIP VIEW HOUSE is a detached house located in Suginami Ku, Tokyo. It is designed as residence and office for a couple to later retire in and enjoy a leisurely life with views of the local park.
The residence most striking feature are the two suspended concrete volumes which hold balconies and large open windows. These large cantilevered balconies function as a deep eave to soften the western sun and, like a picture frame, incorporate the view of the park into the interior, while at the same time blocking passers-by from seeing the interior. By integrating the view and creating a clear contrast between the dark interior and light outside, the design attempts to reinterpret the Japanese architectural concept of shakkei, which translates as ‘borrowed view’.
When construction of the residence finished the park still contained a series of social housing estates which were destroyed in 2020 and replaced with a recreational area and expansion of the existing park.
The interior is centered around a custom crafted steel staircase, which is located under a skylight and is suspended by thin steel lattices that also form the handrail. The floors on both sides of the staircase skip height, creating a fluid and continues space inside the residence. This layout brings light and air to every corner of the building. Dwellers can access each floor as they move along the gently sloped staircase and enjoy the view of the park from different perspectives throughout the residence.