![House in Aoto by High Land Design](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/02/dezeen_House-in-Aoto-by-High-Land-Design-1.jpg)
House in Aoto by High Land Design
Japanese architect Masayoshi Takahashi of High Land Design has completed a house in Tokyo with a squared spiral staircase at its centre.
![House in Aoto by High Land Design House in Aoto by High Land Design](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/02/dezeen_House-in-Aoto-by-High-Land-Design-4.jpg)
Constructed from concrete beside a main road, the three-storey House in Aoto has a black-painted facade that screens a terrace on the rooftop.
![House in Aoto by High Land Design House in Aoto by High Land Design](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/02/dezeen_House-in-Aoto-by-High-Land-Design-5.jpg)
Rectangular windows pierce the exterior in a seemingly random arrangement to let light filter into workrooms on the ground floor, living rooms on the first floor and three bedrooms on the top floor.
![House in Aoto by High Land Design House in Aoto by High Land Design](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/02/dezeen_House-in-Aoto-by-High-Land-Design-13.jpg)
Softwood boards cover the floors of each room as well as the risers and treads of the faceted staircase, while walls and ceilings are painted white throughout.
![House in Aoto by High Land Design House in Aoto by High Land Design](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/02/dezeen_House-in-Aoto-by-High-Land-Design-7.jpg)
Other Japanese houses with focal staircases include one behind slanted walls and peepholes, plus another that spirals around a wall.
![House in Aoto by High Land Design House in Aoto by High Land Design](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/02/dezeen_House-in-Aoto-by-High-Land-Design-9.jpg)
Photography is by Toshiyuki Yano.
![House in Aoto by High Land Design House in Aoto by High Land Design](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/02/dezeen_House-in-Aoto-by-High-Land-Design-3.jpg)
Here's some more text from Masayoshi Takahashi:
This house is located in a heavily trafficked road on the north side.
![House in Aoto by High Land Design House in Aoto by High Land Design](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/02/dezeen_House-in-Aoto-by-High-Land-Design-6.jpg)
We thought that is important to be connected the scene of life continuously while moved up and down about this project.
![House in Aoto by High Land Design House in Aoto by High Land Design](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/02/dezeen_House-in-Aoto-by-High-Land-Design-10.jpg)
We placed each space like spiral around the stairs. So that it is possible to move around each space without feeling the difficulty moving up and down.
![House in Aoto by High Land Design House in Aoto by High Land Design](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/02/dezeen_House-in-Aoto-by-High-Land-Design-14.jpg)
The first floor is garage and work spaces, the second floor is a living and dining space on sunny south side, the third floor is a private room and master bedroom.
![House in Aoto by High Land Design House in Aoto by High Land Design](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/02/dezeen_House-in-Aoto-by-High-Land-Design-16.jpg)
And we have placed closed spaces (such as toilet ,storage, sanitary) on the north side. So we were able to get a quiet and sunny living environment.
![House in Aoto by High Land Design House in Aoto by High Land Design](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/02/dezeen_House-in-Aoto-by-High-Land-Design-18.gif)
Location: Katsushika Tokyo
Architects: Masayoshi Takahashi/High Land Design
Structural engineers: A.S.Associates
![House in Aoto by High Land Design House in Aoto by High Land Design](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/02/dezeen_House-in-Aoto-by-High-Land-Design-19.gif)
Structure: Reinforced concrete
Frame: 3stories+Roof Teracce
![House in Aoto by High Land Design House in Aoto by High Land Design](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/02/dezeen_House-in-Aoto-by-High-Land-Design-20.gif)
Site area: 78.81m2
Built area: 50.21m2
![House in Aoto by High Land Design House in Aoto by High Land Design](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/02/dezeen_House-in-Aoto-by-High-Land-Design-21.gif)
Total floor area: 144.50m2
Completion date:2011.12