Japanese Dwelling is Part Home, Part Art Gallery

Outside front of Gaze building - Japanese home design Tokyo-based firm APOLLO Architects completed the design for a mixed-use living and art gallery building in Obu, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Named Gaze, the 893-square-foot project consists of three stacked floors. The first floor is created with reinforced concrete and glass, while the second and third floors are made from wood with galvanized steel siding, making the entire building from afar look like it’s suspended in air.

The owner’s art gallery is located on ground level with part of the exhibit featured underground. The surrounding glass reflects on the window for a pleasing effect for passersby.

Up close of art gallery through window - Japanese home design

The living areas on the second level are accessed through a separate stairway in the back of the building. A minimalist design scheme in neutral tones is a natural extension for the art gallery below. Natural light flows through the space, thanks to a series of lateral windows and skylights. All bedrooms are located upstairs, in the cantilevered third volume. [Photography: Masao Nishikawa]

Inside art gallery - Japanese home design Doorway to upstairs - Japanese home design Stairwell - Japanese home design Kitchen - Japanese home design Living room - Japanese home design Living room with view of deck - Japanese home design Outside of building at dusk - Japanese home design Blueprint of floorplan - Japanese home design Blueprint showing floors - Japanese home design