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House in Nakameguro by Yoritaka Hayashi Architects
Translucent windows create a glowing frame around the facade of this Tokyo townhouse when the lights are turned on inside.
![House in Nakameguro by Yoritaka Hayashi Architects House in Nakameguro by Yoritaka Hayashi Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/02/dezeen_House-in-Nakameguro-by-Yoritaka-Hayashi-Architects-2.jpg)
Designed by Japanese studio Yoritaka Hayashi Architects, House in Nakameguro has four storeys but is the same height as surrounding three storey residences.
![House in Nakameguro by Yoritaka Hayashi Architects House in Nakameguro by Yoritaka Hayashi Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/02/dezeen_House-in-Nakameguro-by-Yoritaka-Hayashi-Architects-5.jpg)
Plywood lines the interior walls of the two middle floors, which include a first-floor living room and kitchen plus two second-floor bedrooms.
![House in Nakameguro by Yoritaka Hayashi Architects House in Nakameguro by Yoritaka Hayashi Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/02/dezeen_House-in-Nakameguro-by-Yoritaka-Hayashi-Architects-3.jpg)
Built-in plywood furniture is arranged around the edges of rooms on these floors to create flexible open spaces.
![House in Nakameguro by Yoritaka Hayashi Architects House in Nakameguro by Yoritaka Hayashi Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/02/dezeen_House-in-Nakameguro-by-Yoritaka-Hayashi-Architects-4.jpg)
A white porcelain-tiled bathroom is located on the top floor and leads out onto a rooftop balcony.
![House in Nakameguro by Yoritaka Hayashi Architects House in Nakameguro by Yoritaka Hayashi Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/02/dezeen_House-in-Nakameguro-by-Yoritaka-Hayashi-Architects-6.jpg)
Our readers all seem to love houses in Japan - see more of them here.
![House in Nakameguro by Yoritaka Hayashi Architects House in Nakameguro by Yoritaka Hayashi Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/02/dezeen_House-in-Nakameguro-by-Yoritaka-Hayashi-Architects-7.jpg)
Photography is by Takumi Ota.
![House in Nakameguro by Yoritaka Hayashi Architects House in Nakameguro by Yoritaka Hayashi Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/02/dezeen_House-in-Nakameguro-by-Yoritaka-Hayashi-Architects-9.jpg)
Here's some more explanation from Yoritaka Hayashi:
House in Nakameguro / Yoritaka Hayashi Architects
This is a small house standing in a small site in centre of the city.
![House in Nakameguro by Yoritaka Hayashi Architects House in Nakameguro by Yoritaka Hayashi Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/02/dezeen_House-in-Nakameguro-by-Yoritaka-Hayashi-Architects-11.jpg)
Most newly-built houses around the site are being converted to three storey buildings.
![House in Nakameguro by Yoritaka Hayashi Architects House in Nakameguro by Yoritaka Hayashi Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/02/dezeen_House-in-Nakameguro-by-Yoritaka-Hayashi-Architects-13.jpg)
Planning four storeys with the same volume of three storey buildings allows different perspective which enables this house to have an open interior space.
![House in Nakameguro by Yoritaka Hayashi Architects House in Nakameguro by Yoritaka Hayashi Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/02/dezeen_House-in-Nakameguro-by-Yoritaka-Hayashi-Architects-14.jpg)
As a consequence, this building has a annular openings which appears as an abstract and continuous ribbon of light in the interior space. This ribbon erases the edge of the interior space, and makes the outline of the space obscure.
![House in Nakameguro by Yoritaka Hayashi Architects House in Nakameguro by Yoritaka Hayashi Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/02/dezeen_House-in-Nakameguro-by-Yoritaka-Hayashi-Architects-15.gif)
Thus the space has a stretch from the inside to outside.
![House in Nakameguro by Yoritaka Hayashi Architects House in Nakameguro by Yoritaka Hayashi Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/02/dezeen_House-in-Nakameguro-by-Yoritaka-Hayashi-Architects-18.gif)
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Besides, the furniture arranged on the facade side is opposite to the usual arrangement and is treated as an extension of the building, giving the space suitable scale and enabling us to use the space effectively.
![House in Nakameguro by Yoritaka Hayashi Architects House in Nakameguro by Yoritaka Hayashi Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/02/dezeen_House-in-Nakameguro-by-Yoritaka-Hayashi-Architects-21.gif)
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Year: December of 2010
Collaborators: Akira Suzuki / ASA (Structural Engineer) , Takasou Takahashi / SESSE-Design (Façade Consultant)
![House in Nakameguro by Yoritaka Hayashi Architects House in Nakameguro by Yoritaka Hayashi Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/02/dezeen_House-in-Nakameguro-by-Yoritaka-Hayashi-Architects-20.gif)
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Area: Meguro, Tokyo, Japan
Site area: 40.01 m2
![House in Nakameguro by Yoritaka Hayashi Architects House in Nakameguro by Yoritaka Hayashi Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/02/dezeen_House-in-Nakameguro-by-Yoritaka-Hayashi-Architects-19.gif)
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Building area: 32.17 m2
Total floor area: 99.80 m2
Structure: steel frame
![House in Nakameguro by Yoritaka Hayashi Architects House in Nakameguro by Yoritaka Hayashi Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/02/dezeen_House-in-Nakameguro-by-Yoritaka-Hayashi-Architects-17.gif)
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