The 2700 House by IGArchitects ingeniously transforms a narrow plot in Saitama, Japan into a dynamic living space, showcasing innovative design that harmonizes interior and exterior elements within a minimalist concrete structure.
Built on an unusually narrow plot with a mere 2.9-meter frontage and 16-meter depth, this home for a young couple ingeniously transforms a challenging site—left over from road expansion—into a spatially rich and dynamic living environment.
IGArchitects, under the guidance of Masato Igarashi, have leveraged the elongated footprint to foster a unique interplay between interior and exterior spaces. The design capitalizes on the site’s openness to the south, north, and west, ensuring an abundance of natural light permeates the structure. The architectural concept is driven by the interplay between a series of eight robust pillars that elevate the concrete form, creating a sense of floating mass and liberating the ground floor for versatile use.
Upon entering the house, one is enveloped by a cavernous ambiance, defined by towering walls and substantial pillars. This spatial narrative evolves as one progresses deeper into the home, where windows strategically bring the outdoors closer, subtly dissolving the boundary between inside and outside. This deliberate arrangement of floors and fenestration facilitates a fluid interaction between the living space and the surrounding environment, creating a sense of openness that belies the house’s modest footprint.
The first floor of 2700 House is characterized by its open-plan design, where multifunctional spaces seamlessly transition into one another. The absence of clear spatial demarcations fosters a sense of continuity; a dining area adjacent to the kitchen flows into a hallway and then into a living area. This spatial ambiguity, accentuated by scattered furniture and varied floor levels, imbues the interior with a dynamic and adaptable quality.
In contrast, the second floor is conceived as a private sanctuary. The lower ceiling heights and limited windows create a cozy, intimate atmosphere, offering a counterpoint to the expansive, light-filled ground floor. This juxtaposition of spaces—a public, open-plan lower floor and a secluded upper floor—highlights IGArchitects’ mastery in crafting environments that are both complementary and responsive to their inhabitants’ needs.
Despite the house’s heavy concrete structure, the design achieves a delicate balance between strength and softness. The minimal frontage allows for a direct engagement with the external environment, infusing the interior with a gentle, ever-changing ambiance shaped by weather, temperature, and light. The seemingly rigid geometry of the concrete box is softened by these natural elements, creating a living space that feels both secure and connected to its surroundings.
By embracing the challenges of a narrow urban site, the architects created a home that not only maximizes spatial potential but also offers a profound sense of openness and richness. This project embodies the possibility and hope of urban living, demonstrating that even the smallest plots can yield expansive, life-enhancing spaces when approached with creativity and ingenuity.
