Up On the Rooftop…
When my husband and I were starting to look for our first house, my mother-in-law gifted us with the iconic book, The Not So Big House, by Sarah Suzanka. I remember reading it cover to cover, absolutely fascinated by the concept. We had a wish list that included: an already remodeled kitchen, a small yard, a fireplace, 3+ bedrooms, etc. But I hadn’t been able to put into words the “feel” of the home we were looking for. I knew we didn’t have a particular style in mind. Though we ended up with a 1909 Colonial, mid-century modern, farmhouse, brownstone, etc – we could have been happy in any of them. What I couldn’t seem to articulate, other than saying “homey”, was a certain level of comfort.
Reading the book allowed me to understand how space planning and architectural considerations can really help make a space FEEL just right. Lowered ceilings, window seats, warm spaces – all of those carefully designed nooks and crannies that make a space suit your needs specifically – help to create a level of comfort to the home owner.
Recently, I stumbled upon this inspiring home designed by Yoshichika Takagi. The client wanted to create spaces within the interior of the home that were reminiscent of living an a village. Thus, rooms with specific rooflines were designed to help achieve this aesthetic. With one graceful, vaulted ceiling encasing the entire concept, it creates spaces that are intimate and fun; yet still allows an open concept for the main living areas and the kitchen.
The design theory was expanded to the outside of the home with a facade that creates balance within its offset symmetry.
Would you ever consider living in a village under your roof?
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All images sourced from: dezeen magazine where you can see even more amazing images and space plans for this gorgeous home
