The Daylight House, designed by Japanese architect Takeshi Hosaka, is a unique and innovative residential project completed in 2011. The house’s defining feature is its use of natural light from the sky to create a bright and airy living space for its residents. This design approach not only enhances the well-being and comfort of the occupants but also reduces the need for artificial lighting, making it an eco-friendly and sustainable living solution. In addition, the house’s location, orientation, and layout were carefully considered to maximize the utilization of natural light, creating a harmonious balance between form and function.
Daylight House Technical Information
- Architects: Takeshi Hosaka Architects
- Location: Yokohama, Japan
- Topics: Japanese Houses, Wooden-structure
- Site: 114.92 m2
- Building area: 73.60 m2
- Floor area ratio: 85.04 m2
- Building height: 5388 mm
- Project Completion: 2011
- Photographs: Nacasa&Partners
The building was structured by laying a basic grid (approx. 1500mmx1600mm) over the site, and using the volume of a single high-ceilinged room with a bedroom, kids’ room and study partitioned off using fittings approximately half the height of the ceiling. The expanse of the entire ceiling can be felt from any room
– Takeshi Hosaka Architects
Daylight House Photographs
Daylight House Description by the Architects
The site is five minutes walk from the railway station, and it is surrounded by a mixture of detached dwellings and 10-floor condominiums, and office buildings. In this location, nestled in a valley between buildings, the light streaming down from the sky above felt precious. A couple with two children planned to build their homes in this spot.
The building was structured by laying a basic grid (approx. 1500mmx1600mm) over the site and using the volume of a single high-ceilinged room with a bedroom, kids’ room, and study partitioned off using fittings approximately half the height of the ceiling. The expansion of the entire ceiling can be felt from any room.
As the inside space is in full view from surrounding tall buildings merely with transparent toplight, the decision was firm from the beginning to install the ceiling under the toplight. Through the installation of the ceiling to make it possible to delicately feel the change and expression of the sky through it rather than directly looking up, coming up with an idea of how to configure the indoor space to acquire the feeling of outside expression sufficiently became a focus of attention. When it comes to the ceiling, it is a white acrylic vault board ceiling enabling the projection of the subdued expression of light and sky coming through glass toplight on the ceiling surface. In addition to the mortar floor and larch plywood wall, the concrete white acrylic surface of high visibility is deprived of its concrete existence by its detailed treatment as if there is no brick mold. In doing so, the surface loses its concrete existence and acquires its abstractness as if only light and expression appear at the upside of the inside space.
There is a window (900mmx700mm )in each room. By this window, the wind blows through the whole house. The person can spend it comfortably. There is an air space between the acrylic surface and the roof, and forced air is used to eject air heated by the sun in summer out of the building. In contrast, the air movement is stopped in winter to use the air layer as a thermal buffer to ensure the thermal environment inside is stable.
Upon entering the building, there is so much light from the sky that it is hard to believe that the site is nested in a dark valley created by buildings. This house was named “Daylight House.” Daylight does not simply indicate light from the sun but refers to the beautiful light throughout the day.
For instance, the change of the sky color when morning dawns, completely bright sky, time zone of direct sunlight, the sun’s shadow by cloud movement, sky color during the time zone of sunset, moonlight, and so on. It has become ordinary at this home to feel the night sky through the ceiling when putting out lights and retiring for the night. The projection of the change of 24 hours on the ceiling surface enables the home always to provide an atmosphere to feel the change of outside nature even while staying inside.
Daylight House Plans
Daylight House Gallery
About Takeshi Hosaka Architects
Takeshi Hosaka Architects is a leading architectural firm based in Tokyo, Japan, founded by the architect Takeshi Hosaka. The company specializes in creating innovative and sustainable residential and commercial buildings that reflect their surroundings’ natural and cultural context. The firm is known for its use of natural materials, creative design solutions, and its focus on creating functional and aesthetically pleasing spaces. With a solid commitment to sustainability, Takeshi Hosaka Architects incorporates environmentally friendly design strategies into their projects, such as using natural light, energy-efficient systems, and sustainable building materials. The firm has received recognition for its work both nationally and internationally and has contributed to the advancement of contemporary architecture.
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