A small plot in tokyo is turned into a comfortable refuge by utilizing the depth of the building's approach and artfully employed glazing. 'arrow house' by apollo architects and associates uses as open plan and transparent partitions for a photo studio facade on the first floor, an intermediate space and a modest kitchen and bathroom-- all within directional slanted walls.
The shallow sloped approach-stairs to the second floor entrance nicely match the sharp inclined wall and constitute the characteristic facade, and as a result they function as a novelty to invite visitors. the pitched roof formed by the regulation on the north side creates a unique exterior and interior appearance.
Light from the slit-shaped skylight on the peak of the roof casts dramatic shadows in the entirely white-colored room. an unblocked sky view from the skylight also has the effect of making one forget that the house is in a densely populated residential area. the second floor is an open one-room space, including the loft space that is accessed by a ladder, and can be used for multiple purposes. the rhythmic continuation of the "diagonal" elements, which are glimpsed in many spaces, creates a comfortable unease in the room.